Social network characteristics are correlated with dietary patterns among middle aged and older South Asians living in the United States (U.S.)

Sameera A Talegawkar,John A Schneider,Juned Siddique,Yichen Jin,Linda Van Horn,Alka M Kanaya,Namratha R Kandula,Nicola Lancki,Meghana Gadgil,Lawrence De Koning

doi:10.1186/s40795-020-00368-1

Abstract

BackgroundSocial and cultural norms, operating through social networks, may influence an individual’s dietary choices. We examined correlations between social network characteristics and dietary patterns among South Asians in the United States (U.S.)MethodsData from the Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) Social Network study were analyzed among 756 participants (mean age = 59 y standard deviation [SD] = 9 y; 44% women). A culturally adapted, validated food frequency questionnaire was used for dietary assessment. A posteriori dietary patterns using principal component analysis were named 1) animal protein, 2) fried snacks, sweets and high-fat dairy, and 3) fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes. Social network characteristics were assessed using a standard egocentric approach, where participants (egos) self-reported data on perceived dietary habits of their network members. Partial correlations between social network characteristics and egos’ dietary patterns were examined.ResultsThe mean social network size of egos was 4.2 (SD = 1.1), with high proportion of network members being family (72%), South Asian ethnicity (89%), and half having daily contact. Animal protein pattern scores were negatively correlated with fruits and cooked vegetables consumption of network. Fried snacks, sweets and high-fat dairy pattern scores were positively correlated with sugar-sweetened beverages, South Asian sweets, fried/fast foods and ghee (clarified butter) consumption of network. Fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes pattern scores were positively correlated with vegetables, fruits, and brown rice/quinoa consumption of network.ConclusionsNetwork member characteristics and their perceived dietary behaviors were correlated with dietary patterns of egos. Dietary intervention studies among South Asians should consider social network characteristics as candidate components for dietary intervention.

Highlights

Social and cultural norms, operating through social networks, may influence an individual’s dietary choices
Using a posteriori dietary patterns, a prudent dietary pattern was found to be significantly associated with lower risk of all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality [7] and type 2 diabetes [8], and a pattern characterized by high intakes of fiber and low fat dairy was associated with less annual increases in Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference [9]
Study design, setting and participants We used data from the Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South SSB Sugar-sweetened beverages Note (Asian) Living in America (MASALA) study, which is a community based cohort of South Asians residing in the U.S The detailed study information can be found elsewhere [17]

Summary

Introduction

Social and cultural norms, operating through social networks, may influence an individual’s dietary choices. Using a posteriori dietary patterns, a prudent dietary pattern was found to be significantly associated with lower risk of all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality [7] and type 2 diabetes [8], and a pattern characterized by high intakes of fiber and low fat dairy was associated with less annual increases in Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference [9]. These studies underlie the importance of maintaining overall diet quality by consuming dietary patterns associated with the maintenance of overall health

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion