Abstract

The rates of obesity in Hispanic women increased significantly between 1994 and 2008 from 35.3% to 45.1% (National Center for Health Statistics, 2010). Poor nutritional habits and obesity have longterm negative health ramifications that warrant targeted efforts to stem this growing epidemic. Two articles are included in this portfolio. The first article discusses the state of the science in relation to cultural aspects of nutrition choices of Hispanic women. The aim of this article is to set the context for the cross-national study which is the focus of the second article. This study examines current eating habits, weight history, health perception, future time perspective, family dietary support, friend dietary support, and the health outcomes of BMI, waist circumference, and nutrition of 157 Hispanic daughters and mothers in Texas and Mexico. The differences between U.S. and Mexico cohorts are also examined in relation to their nutrition choices and their generational preferences. This work indicates that the younger generation appears to have nutrition habits more closely associated with their age cohort than their family unit. In the context of the surging epidemic of obesity in the Hispanic culture and with an awareness of the pivotal role played by the Hispanic woman in the health and nutrition choices of her family, this research project provides an initial dialogue regarding factors influencing the Hispanic population toward healthier eating habits and increased health promoting behaviors.

Date of publication

Spring 5-2011

Document Type

Dissertation

Language

english

Persistent identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/10950/53

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Nursing Commons

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