Bean Preferences Vary by Acculturation Level among Latinas and by Ethnicity with Non-Hispanic White Women.

Michelle M Heer,Donna M Winham

doi:10.3390/ijerph17062100

Michelle M Heer, Donna M Winham

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17062100

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Abstract

With high levels of protein, fiber, folate, iron and other micronutrients, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends eating beans for optimal nutrition. Low-income women are at greater risk of nutrition-related health disparities. Use of beans may change among Hispanic women (Latinas) during acculturation, but few studies exist that describe specific preferences of this important traditional food. Preserving or promoting beans in the diets of all low-income women could improve dietary quality. The study objectives were to describe consumption frequency, purchasing patterns, and attitudes toward dry and canned beans, by acculturation level among Latinas and by ethnicity with non-Hispanic White women. Survey data were collected from 356 women (µ 32 y ± 9 y; 81% Latina), who were enrolled in, or eligible for, a federal nutrition assistance, or unemployment, program in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Participants had positive attitudes toward beans overall. Less acculturated and bicultural Latinas bought dry beans more often than their peers. Price was considered important in canned bean selection for Non-Hispanic White women, and less acculturated Latinas had poorer attitudes toward canned. Awareness of these attitudes and preferred traits of low-income women suggests ways to message populations to maintain or increase bean consumption. Negative views of canned beans by Latinas should be investigated further. Inclusion of canned beans in nutrition assistance programs may benefit those unfamiliar with preparing dry beans.

Highlights

Beans have been a central element of Mexican and Central American cuisine since pre-Hispanic times [1], and annual per-capita dry-bean consumption is nearly four times greater in Mexico (11 kg) than in the United States (US) (3 kg) [2]
Price was considered important in canned bean selection for Non-Hispanic White women, and less acculturated Latinas had poorer attitudes toward canned
When people from Latin American countries immigrate to the US, their consumption of beans and other traditional foods may decline over time with acculturation and adaptation to new socio-ecological environments [3,4,5]

Summary

Introduction

Beans have been a central element of Mexican and Central American cuisine since pre-Hispanic times [1], and annual per-capita dry-bean consumption is nearly four times greater in Mexico (11 kg) than in the United States (US) (3 kg) [2]. When people from Latin American countries immigrate to the US, their consumption of beans and other traditional foods may decline over time with acculturation and adaptation to new socio-ecological environments [3,4,5]. Consistent alterations with time include increased intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and fast foods and decreased consumption of fruits, rice, and beans [3], all of which can elevate chronic disease risk, especially when coupled with poverty and race-related health inequities associated with Latinos in the US [6,7,8]. The US government demographic classification ‘Hispanic’ refers to people with origins in a Spanish-speaking country regardless of personal cultural affiliation or language [9]. The termHispanic is used in the context of government statistics and describes ancestral origin, not necessarily cultural affiliation [9]

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