Food Insecurity, Dietary Quality, and the Role of Social Network Support and Barriers Among Immigrant Latino Adults in New York City

Abstract

ABSTRACT The goal of this study is to describe the social networks of Latino immigrants (n = 80) in New York City, and how various network features are linked with dietary quality and food insecurity. Participants had higher Healthy Eating Index (HEI) scores if their social networks were more transitive (β = 6.11, p < .001) and had a higher proportion of social supporters (β = 4.91, p < .001). Participants who were food insecure had networks with a higher proportion of social barriers (OR = 2.6, p < .05). Supportive and cohesive networks may benefit dietary quality, while networks with more social barriers may exacerbate food insecurity.