The Double Burden of Food Insecurity and Obesity Among Latino Youth: Understanding the Role of Generational Status
- UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
- Sandra E. Echeverría, Associate Professor (Creator)
- Institution
- The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
- Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Abstract: Background: Obesity is linked to food insecurity and generational status; however, little is known about how both impact obesity risk among Latino youth. Objective: To investigate the joint effect of generational status and food insecurity on obesity prevalence among Latino youth. Methods: We pooled data from the 2011 to 2017 waves of the National Health Interview Survey to derive a sample Latino youth aged 12 to 17 (N = 7532). Four generational categories were constructed: first generation (foreign-born children); second generation (US-born child; foreign-born parent[s]); 2.5 generation (US-born child; one foreign-born parent and one US-born parent); third generation (US-born child; U.S.-born parent[s]). Food insecurity was defined by monthly instances of food scarcity over the past year. Obesity was measured using age- and sex-specific body mass index percentile cut-offs. Log-binomial multivariable regression models estimated the association between generational status and food insecurity categories on obesity. Results: Obesity percentages among food-insecure households ranged from 12.8% in the first generation, 15.8% in the second, 24.3% in the 2.5, and 19.2% in the third. In fully adjusted models, 2.5 generation food secure youth had the highest prevalence of obesity (aPR: 1.53; 95% CI, 1.09-2.16) when compared with first generation food secure youth, followed by third generation food insecure youth (aPR: 1.49; 95% CI, 1.01-2.20). Conclusions: Food security status is associated with increased obesity prevalence among Latino youth across the generations. Given that obesity is a risk factor for top causes of mortality and morbidity, growing rates among this population is of public health and clinical importance.
The Double Burden of Food Insecurity and Obesity Among Latino Youth: Understanding the Role of Generational Status
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Created on 8/20/2019
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Additional Information
- Publication
- Pediatric Obesity. 2019 Apr 25:e12525
- Language: English
- Date: 2019
- Keywords
- Childhood obesity, food insecurity, generational status, Latinos