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Food insecurity and weight status among rural and urban Latino immigrants
Author(s) -
Ingram Kandis P,
Martin Catharine M,
Haldeman Lauren A
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.5.a169-b
Subject(s) - food security , food insecurity , socioeconomic status , residence , immigration , environmental health , body mass index , rural area , psychological intervention , gerontology , geography , demography , socioeconomics , medicine , agriculture , sociology , population , archaeology , pathology , psychiatry
Rural residing Latino immigrants are susceptible to poor health. The objective of this study was to measure food insecurity levels and weight status among Latinos in a rural region (N=93) compared to urban Latinos (N=166). Household surveys were conducted by two bilingual interviewers. Data on socioeconomic status, food security and assistance, measured heights and weights, and self reported weight change since arriving to the US were collected. Pilot data show that both urban and rural respondents are mostly Mexican born and have similar diets. Chi‐square analyses show that rural Latinos are more likely to receive food stamps (p=.032), have a higher body mass index (29.1 vs. 30.3 kg/m 2 , p=.093) and self‐reported weight gain since US arrival (17.8 vs. 25.2 lbs., p=.07). No significant between group difference in food security level was noted. However, food stamp use and food security was higher among extremely obese rural Latinos. Rural residence poses a barrier for Latino immigrants and must be addressed when developing nutrition interventions. This study was funded by the USDA Economic Research Service Small Grants Program, Southern Rural Development Center.