title: Ethnicity, Household Food Security, and Nutrition and Activity Patterns in Families With Preschool Children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated the relationship between food security and child nutritional intake, sedentary behavior, and body mass index (BMI) and potential moderation by ethnic subgroup membership.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional data analysis from baseline data of a preschool intervention trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-eight subsidized child care centers in Miami-Dade County, FL.
  
  
  METHODS
  Children ages 2 to 5 (n = 1,211) and their caregivers.
  
  
  METHODS
  The BMI percentile and the following 4 factors (via confirmatory factor analysis): food security, consumption of fruits/vegetables, consumption of unhealthy foods, and sedentary behaviors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Separate linear mixed models tested relationships between food security and main outcome measures with an interaction term to test for possible moderation by ethnicity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results indicated a significant relationship (P < .05) between food security and child consumption of fruit/vegetables, consumption of unhealthy foods, and sedentary behavior, but not with BMI percentile. With greater food security, Haitians reported greater consumption of fruit/vegetables and sedentary behavior. With greater food security, Cubans and non-Hispanic whites reported less consumption of unhealthy foods, while Haitians reported greater consumption.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results showed higher food security was associated with higher consumption of fruit/vegetables, consumption of unhealthy foods, and sedentary behavior, but this was moderated by ethnicity. Implications for healthy weight interventions among low-income preschoolers should focus on the importance of food security and tailor intervention strategies for diverse ethnic groups accordingly.
authors: Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL. Electronic address: lasfour@med.miami.edu.
authors: Lila
authors: L
authors: Asfour
authors: Division of Clinical Psychology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL.
authors: Ruby
authors: R
authors: Natale
authors: Division of Clinical Psychology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL.
authors: Susan
authors: S
authors: Uhlhorn
authors: Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL.
authors: Kris L
authors: KL
authors: Arheart
authors: Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL.
authors: Kanathy
authors: K
authors: Haney
authors: Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL; Division of Pediatric Clinical Research, Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL.
authors: Sarah E
authors: SE
authors: Messiah
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American / Q000208:ethnology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida / Q000208:ethnology; D005523:Food Supply / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005638:Fruit; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010290:Parents; D057185:Sedentary Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014675:Vegetables
keywords: Food insecurity; early childhood; nutrition; physical activity; preschool children