Thesis
Characteristics and Health Behaviors Associated with Latinx and Non-Latinx White Adolescent Fruit and Vegetable Intake
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2023
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7273/000005340
Abstract
Adolescent fruit and vegetable intake (FVI) remains below the national dietary recommendations, creating a public health dilemma as a diet high in fruit and vegetables is known to be protective against both chronic disease and depression. The theoretical frameworks utilized in this paper include the prevention science framework and ecological systems theory. The purpose of this paper is to investigate individual and family level characteristics and behaviors associated with Latinx adolescent FVI.A secondary analysis was performed using data from 10th grade students living in Washington state who completed the 2018 Healthy Youth Survey. The factors that will be examined in relation to fruit and vegetable intake in this paper include sex, body mass index (BMI), dietary behaviors, physical activity, screen time, acculturation, maternal education, and low-income. Non-Latinx adolescents were used as a comparison group. Separate bivariate correlations were performed between FVI and the independent variables for each group. An independent t-test was also performed to examine differences in FVI among both groups. Separate multiple logistic regressions were conducted to determine which of the variables predicted meeting FVI recommendations for each group.
Among non-Latinx White (NLW) adolescents all of the individual level behaviors were significantly correlated with FVI, but for Latinx adolescents only aerobic and muscle-strengthening activity were significantly correlated with FVI. NLW adolescents’ (M=3.02, SD=1.51) FVI significantly differed compared to Latinx adolescents’ (M=2.91, SD=1.55). The multiple logistic regressions revealed both groups had similar factors that predicted meeting FVI recommendations, but differed among a few of the factors (e.g., regular family dinners, screen time, maternal education).
Continuing to investigate the factors associated with Latinx adolescent FVI is vital to inform the design of culturally responsive nutrition education interventions and should remain a public health priority. Ultimately, environmental and policy level strategies are needed to increase accessibility and affordability of fresh fruits and vegetables to increase the number of adolescents’ meeting FVI recommendations.
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Details
- Title
- Characteristics and Health Behaviors Associated with Latinx and Non-Latinx White Adolescent Fruit and Vegetable Intake
- Creators
- Anaderi Iniguez
- Contributors
- Elizabeth H. Weybright (Advisor)Jane D. Lanigan (Advisor)Louise A. Parker (Committee Member)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Human Development, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 165
- Identifiers
- 99901031241301842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis