- Email: [email protected]
Dietary Behaviors and Practices of Pregnant and Lactating South Asian Women Living in the United States
MONDAY, OCTOBER 19
POSTER SESSION: SCIENCE/EDUCATION/MANAGEMENT/FOODSERVICE/CULINARY/RESEARCH School Nutrition Environment: Availability and Sales of Competitive Foods since Local Wellness Policies
Acculturation, Food Habits and Physical Activity in South Asian Software Engineers Living in the United States
Author(s): B. Wenz,1 J. Thorius,2 J. Wendland,3 R. Litchfield1; 1Food Science and Human Nutrition, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 2Iowa Department of Education, Des Moines, IA, 3Iowa Department of Education, Des Moines, IA
Author(s): S. Maheshwary, A. R. Wagle; San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
Learning Outcome: Learner will gain understanding about changes in the school food environment with local wellness policy implementation. Federally mandated school wellness policies require nutrition guidelines for foods available in schools. Sixteen Iowa school districts in the USDA Local School Wellness Demonstration project were categorized according to size, local wellness policy score, and previous USDA experience. Competitive food venues (vending and a la carte [ALC]) were inventoried and sales data collected; beverages and foods were categorized according to Institute of Medicine (IOM) and California SB-12 standards, respectively. Analysis included descriptive statistics and paired t-tests. Of 106 vending machines inventoried, most were found in high schools (HS) (approximately 8 per school). Most prevalent beverages in vending included sports drinks, plain water, and regular soda; prevalent foods included candy, cookies and pastries, and regular chips. ALC was available in all (8) HS, most middle schools and small-size schools (7 and 6, respectively), and no elementary schools. Prevalent beverages in ALC included 100% juice, sports drinks, and other sweetened beverages; cookies and pastries, candy, and regular chips were the most prevalent foods. Foods and beverages not meeting SB-12/IOM standards in ALC and vending were 68.8% and 79.7%, respectively. Large school size and low policy score tended to have fewer foods meeting standards; beverages meeting standards were not influenced. Competitive foods sales averaged ⬇$130 annually per student; paired t-tests (p⬍0.05) suggest a decreasing trend in sales. Large school size and previous USDA experience tended to have more vending machines and sales per student. Schools continue to provide high calorie, low nutrient density foods suggesting opportunities for Registered Dietitians in school nutrition programs. Funding Disclosure: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, Team Nutrition
Learning Outcome: Participants will be able to identify atleast three factors that affect level of acculturation, dietary habits and physical activity among South Asian software engineers. Background: This study investigated acculturation strategy, dietary habits and physical activity of South Asian (SA) software engineer immigrants in the United States. Methods: A cross-sectional self-administered on-line survey was developed. Subjects were SA software engineers recruited through various email groups. The acculturation index was calculated using the indicators: language usage, ethnic identity, cultural celebrations and dietary preference (fast-food versus traditional foods). The acculturation index being a score ranging from 0-1; 0 being least acculturated and 1 being fully acculturated. Descriptive statistical analysis was calculated for all variables. Cross-tabulations and ⫼2 tests were conducted to determine the relationship between acculturation and changes in dietary habits and physical activity upon immigration. Results: Of the 134 participants, 65% had a graduate degree, 70% were aged 21-40 years, 91% were full-time employees and 68% spent more than nine hours on the computer per day. Majority of the participant’s acculturation index was found between 0- 0.6. Results indicated that an education in the US and the decision to live in the US had a significant effect on acculturation (p⬍0.05). A majority of the participants were nonvegetarian and showed significant increase in red meat consumption on acculturation (p⬍0.05). Additionally, 49% respondents indicated that their level of physical activity increased after immigration. Conclusions: SA software engineers maintain the balance between two culture and acculturation has positive impact on physical activity. However, occupational stress could be a deterrent towards positive change in this population. This information can be used by dietetics professionals when designing nutritional intervention. Funding Disclosure: None
Infant and Child Feeding Practices in Immigrant South Asian Population Living in the United States
Dietary Behaviors and Practices of Pregnant and Lactating South Asian Women Living in the United States
Author(s): V. Nautiyal, A. Wagle, K. Sucher; San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
Author(s): A. Wagle, S. Varma, K. Sucher; Nutrition and Food Science, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
Learning Outcome: Participants will gain an understanding of the infant and child feeding practices in the South Asian population.
Learning Outcome: Participants will gain an understanding of dietary behaviors and practices of pregnant and lactating women in the South Asian population.
Background: To examine the feeding practices of infants and children and the degree of acculturation of South Asian mothers living in the United States. Methods: Study was a descriptive non-experimental survey design. Questionnaire was used to determine demographics, traditional health beliefs, and dietary intake of infants and children. Subjects/Setting: Subjects included a convenience sample of 129 South Asian immigrant women (aged ⬎20 years), with infants (0-1year) or children (aged ⬍ 5years). Statistics: Descriptive statistics provided demographic information. Chisquare test was used to establish correlations. Results: Results indicated that the average age of introduction of solid food for infants was between 5-6 months and the study met the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines recommending that solid food be introduced at 6 months of age. South Asian mothers in the United States preferred not to give honey and cow’s milk to their infant before the age of 1, unlike the traditional practice of giving honey at birth in India. The results also indicated that mothers living in the US for ⱖ15 years were more likely to communicate with the child in English, rather than their native language (p⫽. 0001). Mothers with a minimum of an undergraduate degree were seen to be more likely to attend parenting related classes (p⫽. 043). Conclusion: Although traditional feeding practices remain important, acculturation does affect the feeding practices for infants and children in the South Asian population. These results may help healthcare professionals understand the cultural influences in the feeding practices in this population. Funding Disclosure: None
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the dietary behaviors and practices of South Asian pregnant and lactating women living in the United States (US). Design: Descriptive non-experimental study design. Questionnaire was used to determine demographics, traditional health beliefs/practices and a food frequency questionnaire was used to determine traditional ethnic foods consumed and/or avoided by the target population. Fifty-five subjects aged ⬎20 years, either pregnant or lactating participated in the study. Statistical Analysis: Descriptive statistics provided demographic information and chi-square test was used to establish correlations. Results: The concept of hot and cold foods was important in framing one’s food choices, beliefs, and practices. The study indicated that 90.7% pregnant women and 87% lactating women avoided certain foods based on cultural influences. Results showed 79.6% women avoided papaya during pregnancy due to believed “abortive property” and 81.6% of lactating women avoided gas producing foods such as cauliflower, beans etc. Among lactating women, foods such as ghee (clarified butter) and fenugreek were believed to increase milk production and consumed. Weight gain during pregnancy was higher in women living in the US for ⬎5 years as compared to those living ⬍5 years (p⫽0.034). Other results indicated that pregnant South Asian women were more likely to consume prenatal vitamins compared to the traditional homeopathic or ayurvedic supplements. Conclusion: Although acculturation may occur, adherence to traditional dietary behavior and practices was common. These results will help healthcare professionals to comprehend the cultural influence on dietary choices and practices in this population. Funding Disclosure: None
Journal of the AMERICAN DIETETIC ASSOCIATION / A-61
POSTER SESSION: SCIENCE/EDUCATION/MANAGEMENT/FOODSERVICE/CULINARY/RESEARCH School Nutrition Environment: Availability and Sales of Competitive Foods since Local Wellness Policies
Acculturation, Food Habits and Physical Activity in South Asian Software Engineers Living in the United States
Author(s): B. Wenz,1 J. Thorius,2 J. Wendland,3 R. Litchfield1; 1Food Science and Human Nutrition, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 2Iowa Department of Education, Des Moines, IA, 3Iowa Department of Education, Des Moines, IA
Author(s): S. Maheshwary, A. R. Wagle; San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
Learning Outcome: Learner will gain understanding about changes in the school food environment with local wellness policy implementation. Federally mandated school wellness policies require nutrition guidelines for foods available in schools. Sixteen Iowa school districts in the USDA Local School Wellness Demonstration project were categorized according to size, local wellness policy score, and previous USDA experience. Competitive food venues (vending and a la carte [ALC]) were inventoried and sales data collected; beverages and foods were categorized according to Institute of Medicine (IOM) and California SB-12 standards, respectively. Analysis included descriptive statistics and paired t-tests. Of 106 vending machines inventoried, most were found in high schools (HS) (approximately 8 per school). Most prevalent beverages in vending included sports drinks, plain water, and regular soda; prevalent foods included candy, cookies and pastries, and regular chips. ALC was available in all (8) HS, most middle schools and small-size schools (7 and 6, respectively), and no elementary schools. Prevalent beverages in ALC included 100% juice, sports drinks, and other sweetened beverages; cookies and pastries, candy, and regular chips were the most prevalent foods. Foods and beverages not meeting SB-12/IOM standards in ALC and vending were 68.8% and 79.7%, respectively. Large school size and low policy score tended to have fewer foods meeting standards; beverages meeting standards were not influenced. Competitive foods sales averaged ⬇$130 annually per student; paired t-tests (p⬍0.05) suggest a decreasing trend in sales. Large school size and previous USDA experience tended to have more vending machines and sales per student. Schools continue to provide high calorie, low nutrient density foods suggesting opportunities for Registered Dietitians in school nutrition programs. Funding Disclosure: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, Team Nutrition
Learning Outcome: Participants will be able to identify atleast three factors that affect level of acculturation, dietary habits and physical activity among South Asian software engineers. Background: This study investigated acculturation strategy, dietary habits and physical activity of South Asian (SA) software engineer immigrants in the United States. Methods: A cross-sectional self-administered on-line survey was developed. Subjects were SA software engineers recruited through various email groups. The acculturation index was calculated using the indicators: language usage, ethnic identity, cultural celebrations and dietary preference (fast-food versus traditional foods). The acculturation index being a score ranging from 0-1; 0 being least acculturated and 1 being fully acculturated. Descriptive statistical analysis was calculated for all variables. Cross-tabulations and ⫼2 tests were conducted to determine the relationship between acculturation and changes in dietary habits and physical activity upon immigration. Results: Of the 134 participants, 65% had a graduate degree, 70% were aged 21-40 years, 91% were full-time employees and 68% spent more than nine hours on the computer per day. Majority of the participant’s acculturation index was found between 0- 0.6. Results indicated that an education in the US and the decision to live in the US had a significant effect on acculturation (p⬍0.05). A majority of the participants were nonvegetarian and showed significant increase in red meat consumption on acculturation (p⬍0.05). Additionally, 49% respondents indicated that their level of physical activity increased after immigration. Conclusions: SA software engineers maintain the balance between two culture and acculturation has positive impact on physical activity. However, occupational stress could be a deterrent towards positive change in this population. This information can be used by dietetics professionals when designing nutritional intervention. Funding Disclosure: None
Infant and Child Feeding Practices in Immigrant South Asian Population Living in the United States
Dietary Behaviors and Practices of Pregnant and Lactating South Asian Women Living in the United States
Author(s): V. Nautiyal, A. Wagle, K. Sucher; San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
Author(s): A. Wagle, S. Varma, K. Sucher; Nutrition and Food Science, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
Learning Outcome: Participants will gain an understanding of the infant and child feeding practices in the South Asian population.
Learning Outcome: Participants will gain an understanding of dietary behaviors and practices of pregnant and lactating women in the South Asian population.
Background: To examine the feeding practices of infants and children and the degree of acculturation of South Asian mothers living in the United States. Methods: Study was a descriptive non-experimental survey design. Questionnaire was used to determine demographics, traditional health beliefs, and dietary intake of infants and children. Subjects/Setting: Subjects included a convenience sample of 129 South Asian immigrant women (aged ⬎20 years), with infants (0-1year) or children (aged ⬍ 5years). Statistics: Descriptive statistics provided demographic information. Chisquare test was used to establish correlations. Results: Results indicated that the average age of introduction of solid food for infants was between 5-6 months and the study met the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines recommending that solid food be introduced at 6 months of age. South Asian mothers in the United States preferred not to give honey and cow’s milk to their infant before the age of 1, unlike the traditional practice of giving honey at birth in India. The results also indicated that mothers living in the US for ⱖ15 years were more likely to communicate with the child in English, rather than their native language (p⫽. 0001). Mothers with a minimum of an undergraduate degree were seen to be more likely to attend parenting related classes (p⫽. 043). Conclusion: Although traditional feeding practices remain important, acculturation does affect the feeding practices for infants and children in the South Asian population. These results may help healthcare professionals understand the cultural influences in the feeding practices in this population. Funding Disclosure: None
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the dietary behaviors and practices of South Asian pregnant and lactating women living in the United States (US). Design: Descriptive non-experimental study design. Questionnaire was used to determine demographics, traditional health beliefs/practices and a food frequency questionnaire was used to determine traditional ethnic foods consumed and/or avoided by the target population. Fifty-five subjects aged ⬎20 years, either pregnant or lactating participated in the study. Statistical Analysis: Descriptive statistics provided demographic information and chi-square test was used to establish correlations. Results: The concept of hot and cold foods was important in framing one’s food choices, beliefs, and practices. The study indicated that 90.7% pregnant women and 87% lactating women avoided certain foods based on cultural influences. Results showed 79.6% women avoided papaya during pregnancy due to believed “abortive property” and 81.6% of lactating women avoided gas producing foods such as cauliflower, beans etc. Among lactating women, foods such as ghee (clarified butter) and fenugreek were believed to increase milk production and consumed. Weight gain during pregnancy was higher in women living in the US for ⬎5 years as compared to those living ⬍5 years (p⫽0.034). Other results indicated that pregnant South Asian women were more likely to consume prenatal vitamins compared to the traditional homeopathic or ayurvedic supplements. Conclusion: Although acculturation may occur, adherence to traditional dietary behavior and practices was common. These results will help healthcare professionals to comprehend the cultural influence on dietary choices and practices in this population. Funding Disclosure: None
Journal of the AMERICAN DIETETIC ASSOCIATION / A-61