Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-2020
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Source Publication
Hispanic Health Care International
Source ISSN
1938-8993
Abstract
Introduction
Mexican origin (MO) women comprise the largest Hispanic subgroup of Latinas in the United States. This subgroup has high incidences of obesity and associated chronic diseases. Modifiable risk factors for these include unhealthy diets and eating patterns. Efforts to understand eating patterns of Hispanics have focused on primarily first-generation Hispanics. The purpose of this study was to explore U.S.-born MO women’s descriptions about eating patterns.
Method
A qualitative exploratory-descriptive study, using a thematic analysis approach, was employed. Fifteen MO women were interviewed. The participants were second to fourth generation and reported higher educational attainment, middle-income socioeconomic brackets, and English proficiency compared with previous groups studied.
Results
Five themes were identified: (a) personal agency, (b) relationships with people about food, (c) cultural and familial influences, (d) environments, and (e) time and money. Themes comprised multiple factors to classify the varied aspects of the women’s eating patterns.
Conclusion
This study provides insights about descriptions of eating patterns from a subgroup, generational, and gender-specific perspective that extended beyond acculturative and homogeneous group viewpoints to a broader structural view. The structural layers that affected the women’s eating patterns were multifaceted and complex.
Recommended Citation
Garcia, Juanita T. and VandeVusse, Leona, "U.S.-Born Mexican-Origin Women’s Descriptions About Their Eating Patterns" (2020). College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications. 1246.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/nursing_fac/1246
Comments
Accepted version. Hispanic Health Care International, Vol. 18, No. 4 (December 2020): 232-240. DOI. This article is © 2020 The Authors. Used with permission.