A Dietary Pattern With More Fruits and Vegetables in Children of Mothers Who Immigrated to the United States From Latin America Is Associated With Healthful Nutrient Intake and Weight Status

Abstract

Background: Children from families who immigrated to the United States may consume a lower-quality diet compared with their US-born peers. However, specific features of their dietary patterns, which could be a focus for improving diet quality, are not well-studied. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine dietary patterns that distinguish interpersonal variability in dietary intake and explore the association of dietary patterns with nutrient intake and weight status. Design: This study was a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the Live Well randomized controlled trial collected between 2009 and 2010. Participants/setting: Study participants included 313 children (3-12 years) whose mothers immigrated to the United States from Latin America and resided in Somerville, Massachusetts. Main outcome measures: Dietary patterns (derived using principal component analysis); nutrient intake (derived from dietary data collected using the Block Food Screener); and weight status (categorized using body mass index z score based on measured height and weight). Statistical analyses performed: Nutrient intake levels were compared across quartiles for dietary patterns using analysis of covariance. Multivariable logistic or linear regression models were used to determine the associations between dietary pattern scores and odds of overweight or obesity or z scores. Results: Two dietary patterns emerged: “fruits and vegetables” and “meat and sweets.” Highest adherence to the fruits and vegetables pattern was associated with more healthful nutrient intake and lower odds of having overweight or obesity (odds ratio 0.37; 95% CI 0.16 to 0.98), but not body mass index z score (β = –.07; 95% CI –.51 to 0.36) compared with the lowest adherence. Adherence to the meat and sweets pattern was associated with less healthful nutrient intake but not with the odds of experiencing overweight or obesity (odds ratio 0.48; 95% CI 0.16 to 1.46). Conclusions: A healthful dietary pattern in children of families who immigrated to the United States from Latin America may include a variety of fruits and vegetables. Longitudinal studies should be conducted to further assess the role of dietary intake patterns on the health of these children.