title: Effects of parental nativity and length of stay in the US on fruit and vegetable intake among WIC-enrolled preschool-aged children.
abstract: Exposure to US culture is negatively associated with fruits and vegetables (F&V) intake. Our goal was to investigate how parent's nativity and length of stay in the US influences preschoolers' F&V intake. We analyzed survey data from 2,352 children, aged 36-60 months, who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) in Los Angeles County. Using multiple linear regression, we examined children's F&V intake by parent's nativity and years in the US, adjusting for possible confounders. Children of foreign born parents who had lived in the US for <10 years consumed fewer servings of vegetables than children of US born parents and of foreign born parents who had lived in the US for ≥10 years. Children of newer immigrant families may be at greater risk for consuming poor-quality diets. Research to identify determinants of poor diet quality among children of immigrant families may increase the effectiveness of WIC in addressing this population's nutritional needs.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health Equity Studies (CHESS), Stockholm University and Karolinska Institutet, Sveavägen 160, Floor 5, 10691, Stockholm, Sweden, pia.chaparro@chess.su.se.
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Chaparro
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Langellier
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koleilat
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Whaley
mesh_terms: D000069:Acculturation; D001835:Body Weight; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004032:Diet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D063105:Food Assistance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D015141:Los Angeles; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014675:Vegetables