Effects of gender and acculturation on nutrition-related factors among limited-English proficient Hispanic adults.
Hispanic adults (n = 132) attending adult English language classes completed self-report surveys that assessed gender, acculturation level, and nutrition-related factors (i.e., knowledge, beliefs, self-efficacy, intentions, and fat avoidance). Descriptive statistics showed low nutrition knowledge among the group overall, although beliefs that changes in diet lead to better health, self-efficacy for changing diet, and intentions to make positive changes in diet were quite high. Analysis of variance procedures showed women avoided dietary fat and had greater intentions to make positive dietary changes than did men. In addition, higher acculturation level was related to greater dietary fat avoidance. Gender-by-acculturation interactions were seen for nutrition knowledge and beliefs, indicating complex relationships for these two nutrition variables. Results suggest that dietary interventions to reduce cardiovascular disease risks need to take into account that nutrition knowledge, attitudes and behaviors may vary by gender and the acculturation level of the targeted Hispanic group.
Woodruff
S I
SI
Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, Center for Behavioral and Community Health Studies, CA 92123, USA. swoodruff@mail.sdsu.edu
Zaslow
K A
KA
Candelaria
J
J
Elder
J P
JP
D000069:Acculturation; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D012737:Sex Factors