In todays post, I will be explaining the research, findings and the impact Cortes et al., peer reviewed article, Food Purchasing Selection Among Low-Income, Spanish-Speaking Latinos made in diabetes research.
According to Cortes et al., Latinos in the U.S. are disproportionately affected by poverty, and over the past 10 years, the percentage of overweight U.S. Latino youth has approximately doubled. Buying low-cost food that is calorie-dense and fılling has been linked to obesity. Low-income individuals tend to favor energy-dense foods because of their low cost, and economic decisions made during food purchasing have had physiologic repercussions. Diets based on energy-dense foods tend to be high in processed staples, such as refıned grains, added sugars, and added fats. Examples of some traditional dishes from various Latino countries are pupusas, tacos, and tamales. (All high in fat content.) These diets have been linked to a higher risk of obesity type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
The purpose of their research was to understand grocery shopping practices among Spanish-speaking, low-income Latino families. The purpose was to analyze food selection practices in order to determine the effect of nutrition education on changes in shopping practices to later develop educational tools to promote selection of healthier food options. Cortes et al., performed their research by using 20 Spanish-speaking, low-income Latino families to participate in their research pilot. They received tailored, interactive, nutrition education during three to fıve home visits and a supermarket tour. Grocery store receipts for grocery purchases were collected after each purchase and at the end of the project so that the researchers could analyze each families nutritional content of purchased foods. (Side note: Nutritional content was measured with these factors in mind: quantity, calories, fats, carbohydrates, fıber, protein, and percentage of sugary beverages and processed food. Data was collected in 2010–2011 and analyzed in 2011–2012.)
After receiving between three and fıve home-based nutrition education sessions and a supermarket tour over a 6-month period, many families adopted instructions on buying budget-friendly, healthier alternative foods. Findings indicate that participating families decreased the total number of calories and calories per dollar purchased from base line to post-education. The median grams of carbohydrates per dollar and median calories from processed food were not reduced.
In conclusion, the pilot study demonstrated that grocery shopping practices are an important factor to address in nutrition education among Spanish-speaking, low-income individuals, and that there may be ways to encourage low-income, Latino families to purchase healthier foods.
The question now is, what ways can healthcare providers encourage low-income, Latino families to purchase healthier foods, since it's a known fact that healthier food is more expensive?
Do you think that the FDA should be held responsible and that they should pull certain "foods" off the market?
Should the government continue to implement Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" campaign in public schools and offer free "healthier food" at school and resources for their homes to those low-income families?
Reference:
Cortés, D. E., Millán-Ferro, A., Schneider, K., Vega, R. R., & Caballero, A. E. (2013). Food purchasing selection among low-income, Spanish-speaking Latinos. American journal of preventive medicine, 44(3), S267-S273. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/
science/article/pii/S0749379712008756
http://www.letsmove.gov/about
Wendy, very interesting post and great questions. Your post reflects my experience working at a free clinic in Franconia, where the majority of the population is Hispanic. The most obvious detriment to the health of this population was the canned and boxed foods that they ate. Unfortunately, these were low-income families and this was the most affordable way to feed their family. They also were not knowledgeable on risk factors for diabetes. Health care professionals should always address their client’s diet because it is such an influential factor in health outcomes. I also feel like the FDA could do more to improve our nation’s health by discontinuing or controlling certain products.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I think that the government should discontinue and control certain products that are being sold, that are not healthy for anyone to consume. I think that if people new the reality of how certain items are made and processed they would rethink in purchasing and eating them. Thanks for your response!
DeleteHi. The question of whether or not the FDA should pull certain foods off the shelves is a tough one. Some people argue that we should be able to make our own decisions when it comes to choosing foods, but others maintain that there are foods on US grocery shelves which are dangerous for us to eat. Many European countries have banned certain foods and ingredients; I think the US should follow suit and do what's best for its citizens.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree. I personally would want to know if something is toxic for my body then I shouldn't eat it then its up to my discretion if I want to continue to eat it or not. Thanks for your response!
DeleteThe research you presented in this blog was very interesting. I don’t know a lot about diabetes, but I know I personally make poor choices when going grocery shopping. If nutrition education – which appears to be the driving force behind the research – can ultimately impact a person’s food selection habits, than I’m all for it. At this point, I don’t know enough about the topic to decide whether the FDA should pull certain items off the shelves or if Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move” campaign should be continued. I do know, however, that obesity is a big problem in the United States and an area that requires more research and better solutions.
ReplyDeleteYou should definitely read my first post its on diabetes. Its pretty straight forward and in simple terms that you can understand it. Thanks for your response!
DeleteI do think if the FDA could find the time to take certain food of the market it would be helpful. Even if they just regulated a little more it would help a lot of families who have already lost members of there families to salmonella, shiguella, or another bacteria that seems to sit on fast foods. There was a story years ago I read about a boy who got so sick from fast food he died, and another of an old man eating too much of a specific fruit that he collapsed in his home. Obviously there are things to be done.
ReplyDeleteSuch an informative post, Wendy! I also like the questions you have asked. It is such a tricky field to apply effective strategies because not everyone may agree upon the same concepts. I think perhaps, more advertisement toward healthier food habits and exercise would be one step. They should as lower the cost of healthier food options and enforce parents to shop around the parameters of the stores and avoid the middle isles with junk food and empty calories.
ReplyDelete