Study Says Latino Children Are Plump, Nutritious

A study published in the June issue of  the Journal of the American Dietetic Association shows that young Latinos are getting adequate nutrition from their diets, but altogether too sugar, salt, fat and cholesterol. The study looked into the eating habits of  1,030 normal and overweight Latino children between the ages of 4 and 19 from low income families living in Houston. Researchers found that the great bulk of these children’s diet was comprised of sodas, fruit drinks, sugary juices, pizza, processed meats and salty chips. Most of the children did not regularly eat the recommended servings of fruits or vegetables. 

Why are we continually hearing about Latino children being so ripe with cheese and chips and Squeezits (R.I.P.)? The study gave a few possible reasons: In a whopping 91% of cases, the child’s parents, some of whom were recent immigrants, were also overweight or obese and often were relatively uneducated and worked a low income job. Perhaps they had not had access to information on healthy eating habits and children’s nutrition, or could more easily afford to spend money and time on ready-made, pre-packaged foods high in fat and preservatives. 

What it noteworthy is how so much of the food and drink consumed by these children is quintessentially American - something about which PETA, in their special short-sighted, publicity-driven and misguided way, had once sought to warn new immigrants to the United States from Mexico. Typical Mexican food, they said, is loaded with vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes, and light on preservatives and added sugars and sodium. And, after carefully dismantling the classism and general cluelessness in how they chose to convey their message, PETA has a point. 

We guess that there are many low-priced local and chain stores in the Houston area that cater specifically to Latino consumers - with products like beans, rice, and other grains - and that inexpensive canned and fresh  vegetables are readily available almost everywhere. What we guess is missing is an interest in establishing healthy eating habits and tools to teach parents what it is that their child needs in order to grow up healthy and avoid diet-related health issues like diabetes and obesity. We also wonder to what extent the study considered whether these children were living sedentary lifestyles  - because its cheaper to sit kids in front of a TV with a juice box when you’re exhausted from work / leaving off to a night shift and cheaper than involving them in sports or other after-school activities where you need to think about transportation, equipment and other fees

But… how do you make that happen? 

Hispanic children are getting most nutrients, but eating too much fat [LA Times]