Dietary data were obtained from 71 migrant and 69 nonmigrant low-income first-generation MexicanAmerican families. Among preschool children, average consumption from all food groups except vegetables was adequate. Most adults stated that their diet had improved since moving to the U.S. Dietary change was characterized by increased consumption of both “basic” and “new” foods, especially among nonmigrants, with considerable retention of “traditional” foods. There was no correlation between degree of change in traditional foods and degree of change in basic or new foods. Dietary change was thus a function of two or more independent trends. Different socioeconomic factors were related to the three components of dietary change. Bilingual children influenced adoption of new foods. Length of residence in the U.S. was not related to degree of dietary change. More migrants than nonmigrants held traditional beliefs proscribing certain foods during illness, pregnancy, or lactation. © 1984, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

Preschool children Mexican-Americans Migrants diet change

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