Puerto Rican Adults Research Articles

Food insecurity and dietary intake by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program participation status among mainland US Puerto Rican adults after the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) increased monthly Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits and expanded SNAP eligibility, yet limited evidence exists on the potential impact of ARRA on dietary intake among at-risk individuals. We aimed to examine pre-/post-ARRA differences in food insecurity (FI) and dietary intake by SNAP participation status. Pre/post analysis. Boston, MA, USA. Data were from the longitudinal Boston Puerto Rican Health Study (2007-2015). The US Department of Agriculture ten-item adult module assessed FI. A validated FFQ assessed dietary intake. Diet quality was assessed using the Alternate Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI-2010). Self-reported pre-/post-ARRA household SNAP participation responses were categorized as: sustained (n 249), new (n 95) or discontinued (n 58). We estimated differences in odds of FI and in mean nutrient intakes and AHEI-2010 scores post-ARRA. Compared with pre-ARRA, OR (95 % CI) of FI post-ARRA were lower for all participants (0·69 (0·51, 0·94)), and within sustained (0·63 (0·43, 0·92)) but not within new (0·94 (0·49, 1·80)) or discontinued (0·63 (0·25, 1·56)) participants. Post-ARRA, total carbohydrate intake was higher, and alcohol intake was lower, for sustained and new participants, and dietary fibre was higher for sustained participants, compared with discontinued participants. Scores for AHEI-2010 and its components did not differ post-ARRA, except for lower alcohol intake for sustained v. discontinued participants. Post-ARRA, FI decreased for sustained participants and some nutrient intakes were healthier for sustained and new participants. Continuing and expanding SNAP benefits and eligibility likely protects against FI and may improve dietary intake.

The Puerto Rico Alzheimer Disease Initiative (PRADI): A Multisource Ascertainment Approach.

IntroductionPuerto Ricans, the second largest Latino group in the continental US, are underrepresented in genomic studies of Alzheimer disease (AD). To increase representation of this group in genomic studies of AD, we developed a multisource ascertainment approach to enroll AD patients, and their family members living in Puerto Rico (PR) as part of the Alzheimer’s Disease Sequencing Project (ADSP), an international effort to advance broader personalized/precision medicine initiatives for AD across all populations.MethodsThe Puerto Rico Alzheimer Disease Initiative (PRADI) multisource ascertainment approach was developed to recruit and enroll Puerto Rican adults aged 50 years and older for a genetic research study of AD, including individuals with cognitive decline (AD, mild cognitive impairment), their similarly, aged family members, and cognitively healthy unrelated individuals age 50 and up. Emphasizing identification and relationship building with key stakeholders, we conducted ascertainment across the island. In addition to reporting on PRADI ascertainment, we detail admixture analysis for our cohort by region, group differences in age of onset, cognitive level by region, and ascertainment source.ResultsWe report on 674 individuals who met standard eligibility criteria [282 AD-affected participants (42% of the sample), 115 individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (17% of the sample), and 277 cognitively healthy individuals (41% of the sample)]. There are 43 possible multiplex families (10 families with 4 or more AD-affected members and 3 families with 3 AD-affected members). Most individuals in our cohort were ascertained from the Metro, Bayamón, and Caguas health regions. Across health regions, we found differences in ancestral backgrounds, and select clinical traits.DiscussionThe multisource ascertainment approach used in the PRADI study highlights the importance of enlisting a broad range of community resources and providers. Preliminary results provide important information about our cohort that will be useful as we move forward with ascertainment. We expect that results from the PRADI study will lead to a better understanding of genetic risk for AD among this population.

Culturally-Adapted Diet for Puerto Rican Adults

Culturally-Adapted Diet for Puerto Rican Adults

Risk Factors for Bone Health in Older Puerto Rican Adults (OR18-05-19)

ObjectivesTo examine risk factors for bone mineral density (BMD) and osteoporosis at the femoral neck (FN) and lumbar spine (LS) in a cross-sectional study among Puerto Rican adults, 47- 77 y. MethodsThe Boston Puerto Rican Osteoporosis Study (BPROS) is an ancillary study to the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study, a cohort of 1504 Puerto Rican adults from the Greater Boston area. A total of 973 participants participated in the BPROS, where data on sociodemographics, health and health behaviors, and medication use were collected through questionnaire, and anthropometrics measured. Dietary intake and supplement use were assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Fasting blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis. BMD (g/cm2) at the FN and LS (L2-L4) was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Linear regression models estimated associations between risk factors and FN and LS BMD and logistic regression for osteoporosis (T-score ≤ –2.5 g/cm2) at the FN and/or LS. A total of 680 participants had complete data on risk factors and bone measures. ResultsAverage age of participants was 59.9 y ± 7.6 y and 71.3% were women. The prevalence of osteoporosis was 10.6%. Age was inversely associated with FN BMD (Table 1). BMI and height were positively associated with BMD. Neither calcium intake from food sources nor plasma 25-OH vitamin D were associated with BMD (P > 0.36). Bone medication and calcium supplement use were inversely associated with BMD, likely due to reverse causation. Magnesium intake from supplements was positively associated with LS and FN BMD (β = 0.07, P = 0.006 and β = 0.05, P = 0.008). Moderate alcohol consumption was associated with lower odds of osteoporosis, compared to no intake (OR: 0.40, P = 0.02; Table 2). Current smoking (vs. never smokers) was associated with increased odds of osteoporosis (OR: 2.5, P = 0.02). Magnesium from supplements was associated with lower odds of osteoporosis (OR: 0.41, P = 0.04). ConclusionsIn contrast to expectation, dietary calcium and plasma 25-OH vitamin D were not associated with bone. Interestingly, magnesium intake from supplements was associated with higher BMD and lower odds of osteoporosis. This requires further investigation, as this may serve as a feasible intervention to improve BMD and decrease risk of osteoporosis in this high-risk population. Funding SourcesNIH/NIAMS K01 AR067894, NIH P50 HL105185, P01 AG023394, and R01 AG027087. Supporting Tables, Images and/or Graphs▪

Carotenoid Intake and Status and Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) in Puerto Rican Adults (FS06-05-19)

ObjectivesTo observe the relationship between dietary intake and plasma concentration of carotenoids relative to ankle brachial index (ABI), a measure of peripheral artery disease and heart disease risk factor, in Puerto Rican adults. MethodsData were from 829 participants in the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study (aged 49–81 y at time of measurement). Risk of atherosclerosis was measured by ABI (systolic blood pressure at the ankle relative to at the brachial artery). Dietary intake of carotenoids was assessed by food frequency questionnaire and plasma total carotenoids with a colorimetric assay using a Beckman DU640 Spectrophotometer (CV 6%). SAS (version 9.4) was used to conduct analyses, including logistic regression. ResultsThe mean ABI was 0.99 +/– 0.09, mean plasma carotenoids (ug/dl), 94.6 +/– 41.7, and mean total dietary intake of carotenoids 9675 +/– 7494. 10% of participants had ABI < 0.9. Our measure of plasma carotenoids was significantly associated with low ABI (<0.9) in all models, including those adjusted for age, sex, BMI, plasma triglycerides, alcohol use, smoking, physical activity score, waist circumference, cholesterol, serum albumin, serum creatinine, diabetes, medications for lipids, medications for blood pressure, and poverty/income ratio (OR = 0.99; 95% CI = 0.98–1.00, P = 0.03). Associations between estimated dietary intake of total carotenoids and ABI were also statistically significant (OR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.37–1.00, P = 0.05). Major sources of carotenoids in this population included tomato sauce, calabaza squash, carrots, plantains and root crops. ConclusionsTotal plasma carotenoid concentration and dietary intake of carotenoids were significantly associated with peripheral artery disease. Further research is needed to clarify the specific role of carotenoids in this relationship, and to identify if intake of individual (vs. total) dietary carotenoids provide a protective effect against arterial blockage in this high-risk population. Funding SourcesNIH-NHLBI. Supporting Tables, Images and/or Graphs▪

Factors Associated with Self-Perceived Diet Quality Among Puerto Rican Adults (P04-092-19)

ObjectivesSelf-perceived diet quality is an important psychosocial factor that can influence dietary patterns. Several studies have found an association between this variable and health-related behaviors, such as eating fruits and vegetables and exercising regularly. However, this relationship has not been well studied among minority groups. The aim of this research was to examine the associations between sociodemographic and health-related variables and self-perception of diet quality among adults living in Puerto Rico. MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study. A researcher-designed questionnaire was distributed within a particular community. One questionnaire was given per household to be answered by everyone living in the house. A multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the association between the dependent variable, self-perceived diet quality (specified as excellent/very good/good or fair/poor), and the following independent variables: age groups, sex, education, poverty level estimate, self-rated health, intake of fruits or vegetables, sugar-sweetened beverages and fast-food, physical activity, recreational screen time (as a proxy for sedentary time), and BMI categories. ResultsA total of 106 questionnaires were distributed and 93 were returned, with data collected for 254 individuals. Children (n = 57) and adults with missing data (n = 5) were excluded from the analysis. The final sample consisted of 192 adults aged ≥18 years. Among these, 53.1% were females, 52.0% completed more than high school, 41.7% were below the poverty level estimate, and 61.5% were either overweight or obese. A total of 26.6% of the participants described their diet as fair/poor. Fair/poor self-perceived diet quality was associated with higher odds of reporting fair/poor self-rated health, consuming less than one cup of fruits or vegetables per day, eating at fast-food one or more times per week, and spending three hours or more per day using a screen for recreational purposes. ConclusionsSelf-perception of diet quality was associated with certain health-related behaviors in our sample. Future research should examine the association between self-perceived and objective diet quality, as previous research has shown that Puerto Ricans have poor knowledge of dietary recommendation. Funding SourcesN/A. Supporting Tables, Images and/or Graphs▪▪

The Association Between Perceived Discrimination and Allostatic Load in the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study.

Perceived discrimination is a risk factor for poor health among ethnic and racial minority groups. However, few studies have examined the association between major lifetime and everyday perceived discrimination and allostatic load (AL), a preclinical indicator of disease. We examine the association between two measures of discrimination and AL among Puerto Rican adults. Using primarily wave 3 data from the longitudinal Boston Puerto Rican Health Study, we examined the association between major lifetime and everyday perceived discrimination and AL (multisystem dysregulation of 11 physiological components) among Puerto Rican adults residing in the Boston metro area (N = 882). Five models were tested using multivariable regression. The final model adjusted for demographic factors, migration factors, socioeconomic status and work history, health behaviors/risk factors, and depressive symptom. Respondents had a M (SD) AL score of 5.11 (1.76; range = 0-11). They had an average score of 0.21 (0.42) for major lifetime perceived discrimination (0-3) and 0.29 (0.49) for everyday perceived discrimination (0-3). In a fully adjusted model, major lifetime perceived discrimination was associated with greater AL (b = 0.56; 95% CI = 0.19 to 0.92), whereas greater everyday perceived discrimination was marginally, but not significantly, associated with lower AL (b = -0.42; 95% CI = -0.87 to 0.04). Perceived discrimination remains a common stressor and may be a determinant of AL for Puerto Ricans, although the type of perceived discrimination may have differing effects. Further research is needed to better understand the ways in which major lifetime and everyday perceived discrimination operate to effect physiological systems among Puerto Ricans.

Serum vitamin D and cognition in a cohort of Boston-area Puerto Ricans

Background: Vitamin D has been suggested as a protective factor for cognitive health, however results of prior studies have been mixed. To examine whether serum 25(OH)D concentration is related to cognition and cognitive decline in a study of Boston Area Puerto Ricans. Methods: We examined the association between serum 25(OH)D, cognitive function and cognitive decline in a longitudinal study of 967 Boston Area Puerto Rican adults. Results: In analyses adjusted for potential confounders, participants in the bottom quintile of 25(OH)D had similar cognitive function at baseline, as measured by a global cognitive score (mean difference: 0.09 (95% CI: −0.02, 0.19); p-trend: 0.18), and similar 2-year rates of cognitive decline (mean difference: −0.01 (95% CI: −0.09, 0.07), p-trend: 0.61) as those in the top 25(OH)D quintile. No significant associations were observed between baseline serum 25(OH)D concentration and 2-year change in individual cognitive test scores or change in executive function or memory domains. Conclusions: We observed no significant association between serum 25(OH)D and cognition in this cohort of Boston Area Puerto Ricans.

Abstract P218: Eating Frequency, Breakfast Consumption, and Abdominal Obesity Among Adults Living in Puerto Rico

Background: Puerto Rican adults have a high burden of obesity, but little information is available regarding eating frequency and breakfast consumption in this at-risk ethnic minority group. Thus, we examined the association between eating frequency, breakfast consumption, and abdominal obesity among adults living in Puerto Rico. Methods: In a cross-sectional study of adults living in Puerto Rico aged 30-75 years old (n=310) were asked to self-report eating frequency, including snacks. Trained interviewers measured waist (WC) and hip circumferences. We calculated the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) by dividing the waist by the hip measurement. Abdominal obesity was defined as either high WC (men≥94 cm; women≥80 cm) or high WHR (men≥0.90; women≥0.85), using International Diabetes Federation cutoffs. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) of having abdominal obesity by frequency of meals (≤1.5; 1.5-3; ≥3 times/d) and for breakfast consumers (vs. non) were estimated using logistic regression models. We adjusted for age, sex, income, smoking status, physical activity, TV watching, energy intake, diet quality, and eating frequency (only for breakfast consumption). Results: The majority of the participants consumed breakfast (70%), ate 1.5-3 times/d (47%), had high WC (75%), and had high WHR (77%). Higher frequency of eating was associated with higher WC after adjustment for confounders. Compared with participants who ate ≤1.5 times/d, those who ate 1.5-3 times/d were more likely to have a higher WC (OR: 2.75, 95% CI: 1.23, 6.15) and those who ate ≥3 times/d were more likely to have an increased WC (OR: 2.88; 95%CI: 1.14, 7.31; P-trend=0.04). Breakfast consumption was not significantly associated with abdominal obesity. Conclusions: Higher frequency of eating, but not breakfast consumption by itself, was significantly associated with abdominal obesity. Our study denotes which eating behaviors may be more relevant for abdominal adiposity among a high-risk ethnic group.

Conflicts in Romantic Relationships over Facebook Use: Validation and Psychometric Study.

The present study evaluates the psychometric properties of the Conflicts in Romantic Relationships Over Facebook Use Scale with a sample of Puerto Rican adults. A total of 300 Puerto Ricans participated in this confirmatory and psychometric study. The results confirmed that the scale has a multidimensional structure. These dimensions are: Partner Facebook intrusion, Conflict over Facebook use, and Jealousy over Facebook use. A total of 18 items complied with the criteria of discrimination and presented appropriate factorial loads (six items per dimension). The Cronbach’s alpha indexes of the dimensions ranged between 0.87–0.95, and the omega coefficients ranged between 0.88–0.95. In summary, the instrument has the appropriate psychometric properties to continue with validation studies, as well as to be implemented in various work areas, both theoretical and applied.

Higher-protein intake and physical activity are associated with healthier body composition and cardiometabolic health in Hispanic adults

Higher protein (HP) intake and physical activity (PA) have been associated with improved lean soft tissue (LST) and reduced fat mass (FM). Puerto Ricans have among the highest age-adjusted prevalence (42.5%) of obesity, which may be associated with inadequate protein consumption and PA. We examined the relationship between protein intake and PA with body composition and biomarkers of cardiometabolic health in Puerto Rican adults. Participants included 959 Puerto Rican adults (71.4% women, 28.6% men) from the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study (BPRHS), aged 46-79y (Women: age, 60.4±7.6y, BMI, 32.9±6.8 kg/m2; Men: age, 59.8±7.9y, BMI, 30.1±5.2 kg/m2). Protein intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire and expressed as g/kg body weight/day in energy intake-adjusted equal cut point tertile categories (lower, moderate, higher: LP<0.91g/kg/d, MP≥0.91≤1.11g/kg/d, and HP>1.11g/kg/d). PA was assessed by questionnaire and expressed in tertile categories (low, moderate and high; PA1: <0.8km/d, PA2: ≥0.8≤3.2km/d, PA3: >3.2km/d). Participants with energy-adjusted HP had lower appendicular LST (ALST: 16.2±3.8kg), LST (39.7±8.0kg) and FM (25.6±8.1kg) when compared to LP (ALST: 20.1±4.5kg; LST: 49.5±10.0kg; FM: 40.8±12.3kg; P<0.001) and MP (ALST: 18.2±4.3kg; LST: 44.1±8.8kg; FM: 32.2±9.8kg; P<0.001). However, when adjusted for total body weight (kg), relative LST was significantly greater in HP (58±9%) when compared to LP (53±9%; P<0.001) and MP (56±9%; P<0.001). Participants in PA3 had greater ALST (19.5±5.4kg), and LST (58±10%), compared to PA1 (ALST: 17.2±4.3kg; LST: 53±9%; P<0.001) or PA2 (ALST: 17.7±4.7kg; LST: 56±9%; P<0.05). Those in HP+PA3 or MP+PA2 had lower c-reactive protein (CRP; HP+PA3: 5.1±6.8mg/L; MP+PA2: 6.4±10.0mg/L), when compared to LP+PA1 (8.7±8.8mg/L; P<0.05). Insulin concentration was lower for those in both the HP and PA3 (HP+PA3; 11.4±7.9IU/mL) compared to those in both the LP and PA1 (LP+PA1; 20.7±16.3 UI/mL) (P<0.001). The highest tertiles of energy-adjusted protein intake (≥1.11g/kg/d) and PA (>3.2km/d) were associated with more desirable indicators of overall body composition and cardiometabolic health, when adjusted for body weight, than those in the lower protein intake and PA in Puerto Rican adults.

Conductas relacionadas a la infidelidad en las Redes Sociales: validación y estudio psicométrico

This study analyzes the psychometric properties of the Brief Inventory of Behaviors related to infidelity in social networks in a sample of Puerto Rican adults. A total of 350 Puerto Ricans participated in this exploratory and psychometric study. The results confirmed that the scale has a one-dimensional structure. The eight items on the scale met the discrimination criteria. The Cronbach alpha reliability index of the scale was .93. These results suggest that the instrument has the potential to measure this construct in Puerto Rican adults. In addition, the scale will allow the advance of new research on cybernetic unfaithfulness in Puerto Rican and Latin American couples.

Higher Dairy Intakes Are Associated with Higher Bone Mineral Density among Adults with Sufficient Vitamin D Status: Results from the Boston Puerto Rican Osteoporosis Study

Dairy foods have been shown to improve bone mineral density (BMD) in non-Hispanic whites. Puerto Rican adults have a higher prevalence of osteoporosis and vitamin D deficiency than non-Hispanic whites. However, there is little understanding of lifestyle influences on bone in this population. The aim of this study was to examine associations of dairy intakes with BMD among adults from the Boston Puerto Rican Osteoporosis Study with and without adequate serum vitamin D status. A total of 904 participants in this cross-sectional analysis provided dietary intakes with a culturally tailored food-frequency questionnaire. Dairy food groups were calculated [total dairy, modified dairy (without cream or dairy desserts), fluid dairy (milk+yogurt), cheese, yogurt, and cream and desserts]. BMD (grams per centimeter squared) was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Vitamin D status was defined as sufficient (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]≥20 ng/mL) or insufficient (<20 ng/mL). General linear models were used to examine associations between dairy intake and BMD, stratified by vitamin D status. Of the total sample, 73% were women, of whom 87% were postmenopausal. Mean ± SD age was 60.0±7.6 y and mean ± SD body mass index (kg/m2) was 32.3±6.6. Mean serum 25(OH)D (range: 4-48 ng/mL) was 14.3±3.6 ng/mL in insufficient individuals and 26.0±5.5 ng/mL in sufficient individuals. In the full sample, higher intakes of modified dairy foods (β=0.0015, P=0.02) and milk (β=0.0018, P=0.04) were associated with higher femoral neck (FN) BMD. Among those who were vitamin D sufficient, higher intakes of total dairy (P=0.03-0.07), fluid dairy (P=0.01-0.05), and milk (P=0.02-0.09) were significantly related to higher FN and lumbar spine BMD, respectively. Among vitamin D-insufficient participants, dairy intakes were not associated with BMD (P-range = 0.11-0.94). Dairy food intakes were associated with higher BMD among adults, particularly those with sufficient vitamin D status. Future studies should confirm findings longitudinally and assess culturally acceptable lifestyle interventions to improve bone health among Hispanic adults. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01231958.

Association of physical activity on changes in cognitive function: Boston Puerto Rican Health Study

ABSTRACTObjective: To evaluate the association of habitual physical activity engagement on changes in cognitive function among Puerto Rican adults.Methods: Longitudinal data (2-year follow-up) from the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study were analyzed (n = 862; mean age = 56.5 year). A daily energy expenditure score was calculated using the number of hours over a 24-h period engaged in various activities, including sleeping, light activity, and moderate-to-vigorous exercise. Energy expenditure estimates were weighted based on the rate of oxygen consumption associated with each activity. Seven cognitive function outcomes were evaluated, including an assessment of general cognitive function, episodic memory, attention and working memory, cognitive flexibility, response inhibition, processing speed, and visuo-spatial organization. From these, overall executive function and memory capacity were derived using principal components analysis.Results: Physical activity was not associated with changes in overall executive function. However, compared to those with low baseline physical activity, those with moderate physical activity had 48% reduced odds of having ≥1 standard deviation decline in memory function (OR = 0.52; 95% CI: 0.32, 0.84; p = 0.008) in 2 years.Conclusion: Among Puerto Rican adults, physical activity may help attenuate memory decline.

Dietary Acculturation among Puerto Rican Adults Varies by Acculturation Construct and Dietary Measure

BackgroundThe role of acculturation in dietary behaviors among Hispanics/Latinos in the United States remains unclear. Discrepancies may be explained by variations in acculturation constructs or ethnicity-specific dynamics. ObjectiveWe aimed to compare relations between 3 different acculturation constructs with dietary quality and patterns among Puerto Ricans in the mainland United States. MethodsWe analyzed cross-sectional data with 1194–1380 Puerto Ricans, aged 45–75 y. Acculturation was measured with the use of a language-based scale (0–100; higher score denotes more English use), a psychological-based scale (0–50; higher score denotes stronger US orientation), and years living in the mainland United States. Diet quality scores (higher scores denote healthier diet) were defined with the use of the Alternate Healthy Eating Index-2010 (AHEI) and the Mediterranean Diet Score (MeDS). Three dietary patterns were previously derived with the use of principal components analysis. Adjusted multivariable regression models tested the association of each acculturation construct with diet quality score or pattern. Interaction terms were included for income or education status. ResultsPsychological-based acculturation, but not the other constructs, was positively associated with AHEI (β ± SE: 0.013 ± 0.004; P = 0.002) and MeDS (0.009 ± 0.005; P = 0.041). Income, but not education, moderated this association (P = 0.03), with higher diet quality observed with higher income (>$25,000) and stronger US orientation. All constructs were inversely associated with a traditional dietary pattern, with the language-based scale being stronger (z score β ± SE: −0.160 ± 0.032; P < 0.0001) than the psychological-based scale (−0.097 ± 0.028; P = 0.001) or years living in the mainland United States (−0.058 ± 0.028; P = 0.041). No associations were observed for the Western or sweets/desserts patterns. ConclusionsIn Puerto Rican adults, stronger psychological US orientation was associated with higher diet quality, particularly with higher income. More Spanish use, stronger psychological Puerto Rican orientation, and shorter length of mainland-US residency were associated with traditional dietary patterns. Appropriate diet-related acculturation constructs should be carefully considered among Hispanics/Latinos. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01231958.

Food Insecurity and Odds of High Allostatic Load in Puerto Rican Adults: The Role of Participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program During 5 Years of Follow-Up.

Limited evidence demonstrates pathways linking food insecurity (FI) to chronic disease. Allostatic load (AL) may elucidate potential pathways, capturing both primary (neuroendocrine, inflammation) and secondary (metabolic, cardiovascular) physiological disturbances. We examined the longitudinal association of FI with 5-year AL and primary and secondary subsystem dysregulation and tested moderation by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participation. We analyzed data from the longitudinal Boston Puerto Rican Health Study among 733 adults aged 45 to 75 years. Participants categorized as food insecure (assessed by US survey module) experienced FI at baseline and/or year 5. AL score comprised 11 biological components (5 primary, 6 secondary). We classified participants as having high scores for AL (≥6 dysregulated components), primary system (≥3), and secondary system (≥4). Multivariate models estimated odds ratios (OR), adjusting for baseline AL, sociodemographic, cultural, and behavioral characteristics. By study end, 33.8% had experienced FI, 65.5% had participated in SNAP, and 37.5% had high AL. In adjusted models, FI was not associated with AL (OR [95% confidence intervals] = 1.07 [0.70-1.64]) or secondary system (0.82 [0.48-1.40]) scores, but was associated with high primary system scores (1.71 [1.25-2.36]). SNAP participation seemed to moderate the FI-primary system relationship (p = .06); food-insecure participants never receiving SNAP (mean (SE) = 2.06 (0.14)) had higher scores than food-secure participants receiving (1.72 (0.06], p = .02) or never receiving SNAP (1.64 (0.10), p = .01) and food-insecure participants receiving SNAP (1.80 (0.07), p = .08). FI is associated with dysregulated components of the primary AL system, and this relationship may be stronger for those not receiving SNAP. Research is needed in additional populations to test AL as a plausible pathway connecting FI to chronic disease and SNAP as a moderator.

Prospective Associations of Erythrocyte Composition and Dietary Intake of n-3 and n-6 PUFA with Measures of Cognitive Function.

Polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) consumption is recommended as part of a healthy diet, but evidence of the impact of individual species and biological concentrations on cognitive function is limited. We examined prospective associations of PUFA erythrocyte composition and dietary intake with measures of cognitive function among participants of the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study (aged 57 years). Erythrocyte and dietary PUFA composition were ascertained at baseline and associated with 2-year scores on the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) (n = 1032) and cognitive domain patterns derived from a battery of tests (n = 865), as well as with incidence of cognitive impairment. Erythrocyte and dietary n-3 PUFA were not significantly associated with MMSE score. However, total erythrocyte and dietary n-3 very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFA), and intake of individual species, were associated with better executive function (P-trend < 0.05, for all). There was evidence that greater erythrocyte n-6 eicosadienoic acid concentration was associated with lower MMSE and executive function scores (P-trend = 0.02). Only erythrocyte arachidonic acid (ARA) concentration predicted cognitive impairment (Odds Ratio = 1.26; P = 0.01). Among Puerto Rican adults, we found that n-3 VLCFA consumption may beneficially impact executive function. Further, these findings provide some evidence that n-6 metabolism favoring greater ARA tissue incorporation, but not necessarily dietary intake, could increase the risk of cognitive impairment.

Acculturation and Food Insecurity Among Puerto Ricans Living in Boston

ObjectiveTo examine the associations among acculturation, food environment, and food insecurity among Puerto Ricans in Boston. MethodsThe researchers used data from the second wave of the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study. The sample included 719 Puerto Rican adults in Boston. The researchers used logistic regression to examine the associations between psychological and language acculturation and food insecurity. ResultsIndividuals with medium psychological acculturation were more likely to be food insecure than were those with low or high psychological acculturation (P = .01). The association between language acculturation and food insecurity differed by distance of residence from primary shopping location (P = .02). Conclusions and ImplicationsThis study extends the understanding of acculturation and food insecurity by investigating the impact of psychological and language acculturation. The findings highlight biculturalism, indicated by medium psychological acculturation, as a risk factor for food insecurity. People with low language acculturation who live far from food shopping locations had the highest prevalence of food insecurity.

Desarrollo y validación de un instrumento para medir discriminación percibida en la comunidad LGBT

&lt;p&gt;El presente estudio analiza las propiedades psicométricas de la Escala de Discriminación Percibida en la Comunidad LGBT (Lesbianas, Gays, Bisexuales y Transgénero) en una muestra de adultos puertorriqueños. Un total de 305 miembros de la comunidad LGBT participaron en este estudio de carácter exploratorio y psicométrico. Los resultados confirmaron que la escala posee una estructura de dos factores. Estos factores son discriminación individual y discriminación grupal. Un total de 20 ítems cumplieron con los criterios de discriminación y cargas factoriales apropiadas (10 ítems por factor). El índice de confiabilidad alfa de Cronbach para ambas subescalas fue .89. Estos resultados sugieren que la escala tiene el potencial para medir este constructo en miembros de la comunidad LGBT en Puerto Rico.&lt;/p&gt;

Short-and medium-term associations of particle number concentration with cardiovascular markers in a Puerto Rican cohort

Air pollution has been linked to adverse cardiovascular outcomes; however, susceptibility may vary by population. Puerto Rican adults living in the US may be a susceptible group due to a high rate of adverse cardiovascular events. We evaluated the effect of changes in ambient particle number concentration (PNC, a measure of ultrafine particles) and effects on biomarkers of cardiovascular risk in the Boston Puerto Rican Health Study (BPRHS), a longitudinal cohort (n = 1499). Ambient PNC was measured at a fixed site between 2004 and 2013 and daily mean concentrations were used to construct PNC metrics, including lags of 0, 1 and 2 days and moving averages (MAs) of 3, 7 and 28 days. We examined the association of each metric with C-reactive protein (CRP) and blood pressure. Each model included subject-specific random intercepts to account for multiple measurements. An interquartile range (IQR) increase in PNC was associated with CRP for all metrics, notably a 3-day increase in PNC was associated with a 7.1% (95% CI: 2.0%, 12.2%) increase in CRP. Significant associations with CRP were seen in women, but not men; with current and former (but not non-) smokers; participants younger (but not older) than 65 y; those without diabetes (but not with), and those with (but not without), hypertension. Our study extends knowledge about the health effects of air pollution to a vulnerable population that has been understudied.