title: Family support is associated with behavioral strategies for healthy eating among Latinas.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Healthy eating is important for obesity control. Dietary interventions target the adoption of behavioral strategies to increase fiber and decrease fat consumption. However, little is known about the contributions of psychosocial factors to the use of these strategies.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study examined psychosocial correlates of behavioral strategies for healthy eating among Latinas.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants included 361 Latino mothers living along the U.S.-Mexico border in California. Data included measures of sociodemographics, acculturation, and psychosocial determinants of healthy eating. A 30-item dietary behavioral strategies scale assessed strategies to increase fiber and decrease fat consumption.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Family interactions regarding dietary habits (β = .224, p < .001) and financial status (β = .148, p = .029) were associated with the use of strategies to decrease fat consumption. Positive family interactions regarding dietary habits (β = .226, p < .001), fewer barriers to obtaining fruits and vegetables (β = -.207, p < .001), and more family support for vegetable purchasing (β = .070, p = .047) were associated with use of strategies to increase fiber consumption.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Future interventions would benefit from improving family systems associated with healthy eating.
authors.affiliation: 1San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Emily A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Schmied
authors.forename: Humberto
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Parada
authors.forename: Lucy A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Horton
authors.forename: Hala
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Madanat
authors.forename: Guadalupe X
authors.initials: GX
authors.lastname: Ayala
mesh_terms: D000069:Acculturation; D000328:Adult; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D005195:Family Relations / Q000208:ethnology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016014:Linear Models; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011204:Poverty Areas; D012944:Social Support; D014675:Vegetables / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D004043:Dietary Fiber
keywords: Latino; dietary behavioral strategies; family interactions; nutrition; psychosocial