Canned bean popularity varies by acculturation among low income Latinas (393.6)

Abstract

Canned dried beans such as pinto, black, navy, and kidney were recently added as WIC food package options. With reduced preparation time and a long storage life, canned beans provide a nutritious non‐fat vegetable source of protein, fiber, folate, and other micronutrient options to busy families with limited resources. Survey data regarding attitudes toward consumption and perceptions of canned beans were collected from 443 low income women aged 18‐65 enrolled in WIC, EFNEP, and a county unemployment center. Seventy‐two percent self‐identified as Hispanic and 53% were non‐US born. Using the Bidimensional Acculturation Scale (BAS), 38% were Hispanic‐dominant (SPAN), 23% bicultural (BI), and 39% English‐dominant (ENG). There were significant differences in attitudes and perceptions of canned beans by acculturation as measured by the BAS. Only 23% of SPAN women purchased canned beans in contrast to 53% of BI, and 76% of ENG women. For Likert scale questions on canned bean attributes, more SPAN women agreed than their BI or ENG peers that canned beans: do not taste good (50%, 27% BI, 19% ENG), their family will not eat them (42%, 20% BI, 14% ENG), are not healthy (26%, 13% BI, 5% ENG), and contain preservatives (64%, 42% BI, 27% ENG). These attitudes and misperceptions reduce the policy effectiveness of including canned beans as well as the potential time savings in food preparation. Health education with low income Latinas should include culturally appropriate dialogue to increase or maintain bean consumption in this vulnerable population.