Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health
Volume 69, Issue 8, 2015, Pages 724-731
Does neighbourhood composition modify the association between acculturation and unhealthy dietary behaviours? (Article)
Zhang D.* ,
van Meijgaard J. ,
Shi L. ,
Cole B. ,
Fielding J.
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a
Department of Health Policy and Management, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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b
Department of Health Policy and Management, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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c
Department of Public Health Science, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, United States
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d
Department of Health Policy and Management, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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e
Department of Health Policy and Management, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
Abstract
Objective Studies have shown that immigrants' acculturation is associated with numerous unhealthy behaviours. Yet, the role of environmental factors in modifying the effect of acculturation on health behaviours has received little attention. This study aims to create a more nuanced understanding of the health effects of acculturation by examining how neighbourhood immigrant composition modifies the association between individuals' eating patterns and acculturation. Methods Cross-sectional Data from Los Angeles County Health Survey 2007 adult sample were linked to data on retail food establishments and US Census 2000 neighbourhood characteristics. Acculturation was measured by language spoken at home and years stayed in the US. Eating fast food more than once per week and eating zero serving of fruit or vegetables during the previous day were used as proxy indicators for unhealthy dietary behaviour. Multilevel logistic regression models were performed in the full sample and in the sample with only Latino adults. Results Immigrants' lack of acculturation and living in a neighbourhood with a high percentage immigrants were associated with healthier dietary behaviour. We also identified that lack of acculturation conveyed a significantly stronger protective effect on regular fastfood consumption for immigrants living in neighbourhoods with higher percentage immigrants (OR: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.12 to 0.93). Conclusions Among immigrants in Los Angeles County, living in a neighbourhood with a high density of other immigrants attenuates the negative effects of acculturation on healthy eating behaviours. Healthy eating promotion efforts should build on this protective effect in outreach to acculturating immigrant communities.
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Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84937029853&doi=10.1136%2fjech-2014-203881&partnerID=40&md5=67799520e48136c8201d26b3b5890320
DOI: 10.1136/jech-2014-203881
ISSN: 0143005X
Cited by: 8
Original Language: English