Influences on Healthy-Eating Decision Making in Latino Adolescent Children of Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Workers.
BACKGROUND
Latino children demonstrate high rates of unhealthy weight, and children of Latino migrant and seasonal agricultural workers are heavier than their Latino peers.


METHODS
This one-group, cross-sectional, mixed-methods pilot study explored healthy-eating decision making with 12- to 14-year-olds recruited from a Midwest summer migrant education program. Demographics, decision-making, self-efficacy, and social support survey instruments were used, along with gender-specific focus groups.


RESULTS
In the convenience sample, which included 24 participants, students felt varying degrees of uncertainty when choosing healthy foods in social situations, and 67% made poor-quality decisions. Parents offered greater support for healthy eating compared with friends. Qualitative analyses identified three themes: healthy decision making includes fruits, vegetables, and physical activity; mothers have influence over health and healthy decisions; and friends encourage unhealthy food choices.


CONCLUSIONS
Influences on healthy-eating decision making in Latino adolescent children of migrant and seasonal agricultural workers, which were previously missing from the literature, were identified. Future research includes development of interventions to assist these adolescents with healthy-eating decision making.
Jill F
JF
Kilanowski
D000293:Adolescent; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003657:Decision Making; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D000067565:Farmers; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015146:Midwestern United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D010290:Parents; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012621:Seasons; D012931:Social Environment; D014171:Transients and Migrants / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
Adolescent; decision making; migrant