Summary
The study sought to determine if the association between obesity and food insecurity among Hispanics is modified by Hispanic ancestry across low-income (≤200% of poverty level) adults living in California. Data are from the 2011-2012 California Health Interview Survey (n = 5,498). Rates of overweight or obesity (BMI ≥ 25), Calfresh receipt (California’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), and acculturation were examined for differences across subgroups.
The study reports significant differences across subgroups existed for prevalence of overweight or obesity, food security, Calfresh receipt, country of birth, and language spoken at home. Results found that food insecurity was significantly associated with overweight or obesity among Mexican-American women, but not Mexican-American men or Non-Mexican groups, suggesting Hispanic subgroups behave differently in their association between food insecurity and obesity.
