Family function and eating behaviours among Hispanic/Latino youth: results from the Hispanic Community Children's Health Study/Study of Latino Youth (SOL Youth)

Objective: To elucidate mechanisms across family function, home environment and eating behaviours within sociocultural context among Hispanic youth. Design: Two models tested via path analysis (youth fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption; empty energy consumption) using data from the Study of Latino Youth (2011-2013). Setting: Chicago, IL; Miami, FL; Bronx, NY; San Diego, CA. Participants: Youth (8-16-year-olds), n 1466. Results: Youth ate 2 center dot 4 servings of FV per d and received 27 % of total energy from empty energies. Perceiving higher acculturative stress was indirectly associated with lower FV consumption via a pathway of low family function and family support for FV (beta = -0 center dot 013, P < 0 center dot 001) and via lower family closeness and family support (beta = -0 center dot 004, P = 0 center dot 004). Being >12-year-olds was indirectly associated with lower FV consumption via lower family closeness and family support (beta = -0 center dot 006, P < 0 center dot 001). Household food security was indirectly associated with greater FV consumption via family closeness and family support (beta = 0 center dot 005, P = 0 center dot 003). In contrast, perceiving higher acculturative stress was indirectly associated with higher empty energy consumption (via family closeness and family support: beta = 0 center dot 003, P = 0 center dot 028 and via low family function and low family support: beta = 0 center dot 008, P = 0 center dot 05). Being older was associated with higher consumption of empty energies via family closeness (related to family support: beta = 0 center dot 04, P = 0 center dot 016; parenting strategies for eating: beta = 0 center dot 002, P = 0 center dot 049). Conclusions: Findings suggest pathways of influence across demographic and sociocultural context, family dynamics and home environment. The directionality of these associations needs confirmation using longitudinal data.

Automated summary

This study explored the mechanisms between family function, home environment, and eating behaviors among Hispanic youth, highlighting the impact of sociocultural context on their dietary habits. The findings suggest that acculturative stress, family dynamics, and household food security are significant factors influencing fruit and vegetable consumption and empty energy consumption among Hispanic youth. Confirmation of the directionality of these associations is needed through longitudinal data analysis.