Factors influencing food intake of Hispanic children

The diets of Hispanic children are high in fat and low in fruits and vegetables, which may contribute to their high rates of obesity. Research has revealed that environmental factors, such as household structure, family attitudes towards food and the social context of food messages influence children's food intake. Ethnicity or level of acculturation in Hispanic families may moderate these relationships, but additional research is needed to more fully understand the effects of the process of acculturation on children's diets. More importantly, intervention research is needed to develop and implement programs that may be used to shape public health practice and policies. (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.