The Role of Assimilating to the US Culture and the Relationship Between Neighborhood Ethnic Composition and Dietary Intake Among Hispanic Youth.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Dietary fiber and sugar intake have been shown to affect metabolic health in overweight Hispanic youth. Evidence on the influence of culture on fiber and sugar intake in Hispanic youth is limited. METHODS: The associations among score for levels of assimilation, neighborhood ethnic characteristics, and daily total and added dietary sugar and dietary fiber intake were assessed using regression analyses. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-four Hispanic youth (age = 13.6 ± 3.0, 106 female) were included. The proportion of Hispanic population in the neighborhood was positively associated with fiber intake (standardized ß = 0.205, p < 0.01) and inversely associated with added (standardized ß = -0.234, p < 0.01) and total sugar intake (standardized ß = -0.229, p < 0.01). Youth's self-identified levels of assimilation inversely moderated (standardized ß = -0.465, p = 0.036) the association between %HP and dietary fiber intake. CONCLUSIONS: Hispanic youth residing in areas of that are predominantly populated with Hispanics may be protected from conforming to unhealthy dietary behaviors. This protective effect is weaker among Hispanic youth with higher level of assimilation.