Assessment of Weight Status, Food Security Level, and Fiber Intake Among Hispanic/Latino Adults Residing in New Hampshire

OBJECTIVES: To assess weight status, food security level, and dietary intake, emphasizing consumption of fiber-rich foods, among adults of Hispanic/Latino background. METHODS: This cross-sectional phone-based survey was administered in English or Spanish, and included questionnaires on weight history, dietary intake (NHANES Dietary Screener Questionnaire), and food security (USDA Household Food Security Survey Module) as experienced before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible participants were New Hampshire adult residents who identified as Hispanic/Latino. Responses were scored using protocols by questionnaire developers. Analysis of covariance was applied to determine the relationship between weight status, food security level, and dietary intake. Age and gender were included as covariates. RESULTS: Participants (N = 73; mean (SD) age = 44 (15) years; 84% female) were predominantly immigrants (85%) who had lived in the US for 12.1 (9.4) years or were US citizens of Puerto Rican origin (11%). Self-perception of health status noted as ‘good,’ ‘very good,’ or ‘excellent’ was reported by 81% of participants. There was a high prevalence of overweight (35%) and obesity (33%), with an average self-reported body mass index (BMI) of 28.7 (5.5) kg/m(2). Weight gain during the pandemic was reported by 44% of participants, particularly those with obesity (67%), while weight status was perceived to be in the healthy range by 49% of participants. Perceived weight status and BMI category matched for 48% of subjects with overweight and 88% for subjects with obesity. Estimated daily consumption of dietary fiber was lower (15 (2.4) g/d) than recommended levels (22–34 g/d) but was not correlated with food security level or BMI. On average, men consumed more fiber (18.7 vs. 14.7 g/d, p < .0001) and vegetables (1.8 vs. 1.5 cup equivalents/d, p < .0001) than women. Low and very low food security increased from 25% pre-pandemic to 27% during the pandemic, while marginal food security increased from 10% to 16%. CONCLUSIONS: The exacerbation of food insecurity during the pandemic, along with a high burden of overweight/obesity, low awareness of overweight status, and low fiber intake among NH Hispanics warrant the development of interventions to enhance nutrition security and weight management in this population. FUNDING SOURCES: University of New Hampshire.