Past research has demonstrated a higher incidence of overweight children in migrant farm-worker (MFW) families than in the general U.S. population. This study provided descriptive data on MFWs' acculturation, household food security, and general self-efficacy, and children's food patterns and body mass index. Convenience samples of 60 parent-child dyads were obtained from six MFW camps in two Midwest states. Acculturation and food security were low, higher general self-efficacy was associated with low acculturation, and the majority of children did not meet their U.S. Food Guide Pyramid recommendations. It was noteworthy that 48% of the sample, including siblings (excluded from data analysis), was overweight or obese. The knowledge learned concerning the food patterns and correlates of nutrition in this descriptive phase of the DINE study will direct counseling to MFW mothers on the purchase and preparation of affordable, nutritious, and culturally acceptable foods to achieve healthy weight in their children. © The Author(s) 2012.

Food security Obesity Children nutrition self-efficacy Acculturation migrant farm-worker

human Agriculture diet Hispanic Americans Cross-Sectional Studies Self Efficacy United States cross-sectional study Humans Hispanic Adolescent male Acculturation preschool child female Child, Preschool self concept cultural factor Article migration Transients and Migrants nutritional status Midwestern United States Child