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Article
Health Behaviors among Low-income Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White Women
American Journal of Health Behavior
  • Donna M. Winham, Iowa State University
  • Shelly M. Palmer, Iowa State University
  • Traci L. Armstrong Florian, University of Arizona
  • Mack C Shelley, Iowa State University
Document Type
Article
Publication Version
Published Version
Publication Date
5-1-2018
DOI
10.5993/AJHB.42.3.6
Abstract

Objectives: We determined relationships between food behaviors and health-risk factors by acculturation among limited-income Hispanic and non-Hispanic white women. Methods: Women aged 18-49 years were recruited from income-based programs in metro-Phoenix, Arizona. Self-administered surveys in English or Spanish included demographics, a 10-item food behavior checklist, health-risk factors, food security, and acculturation. Differences by 4 acculturation/ ethnicity categories were assessed with chi-square and analysis of variance (ANOVA). We created a food behavior scale. Results: Eighty-two percent self-identified as Hispanic (N = 358), with 45% Hispanic-dominant, 25% bicultural, 12% English-dominant, and 18% non-Hispanic white for acculturation status. Food behavior checklist results showed that English-dominant Hispanic and non-Hispanic white women were more likely to feed their children soon after waking, refrigerate meat/dairy promptly, not add salt to food, smoke cigarettes and be food insecure (p < .001). Education, not acculturation, was a significant predictor of the food behavior scale. BMI did not differ by acculturation, but 33% of Hispanic-dominant Latinas did not know their height and/or weight. These less acculturated Latinas had significantly greater food security, but lacked health insurance and years of education. Conclusions: Program outreach tailored by acculturation that considers educational level is needed to emphasize existing positive behaviors and address knowledge gaps among low socioeconomic women to improve health and reduce disparities.

Comments

This article is published as DM Winham, SM Palmer, TL Armstrong Florian, MC Shelley, Health Behaviors among Low-income Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White Women. Am J Health Behav. 2018. 42(3);56-68. Doi: 10.5993/AJHB.42.3.6. Posted with permission.

Copyright Owner
PNG Publications
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Citation Information
Donna M. Winham, Shelly M. Palmer, Traci L. Armstrong Florian and Mack C Shelley. "Health Behaviors among Low-income Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White Women" American Journal of Health Behavior Vol. 42 Iss. 3 (2018) p. 56 - 68
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/mack_shelley/56/