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.
  • a Department of Health Policy and Management, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
  • b Department of Health Policy and Management, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
  • c Department of Public Health Science, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, United States
  • d Department of Health Policy and Management, Fielding School of Public Health, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
  • 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.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

food consumption demography health risk Vegetables fruit vegetable human Health Behavior immigration middle aged protection statistics and numerical data diet feeding behavior Logistic Models Health Surveys dietary shift ethnology Hispanic Americans neighborhood Residence Characteristics catering service Cross-Sectional Studies United States Los Angeles County cross-sectional study Humans fast food classification Hispanic California Fast Foods Restaurants male Acculturation environmental factor female cultural factor data set adult Social Environment Protective Factors Food Habits statistical model Los Angeles health survey

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