Publication Date

Fall 2021

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Nutrition, Food Science and Packaging

Advisor

Giselle Pignotti

Subject Areas

Nutrition

Abstract

There is evidence to suggest that Filipino Americans (FAs) are at greater risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and chronic conditions when compared to other Asian American subgroups. However, research on possible risk factors for this group is limited as race classifications are seldomly disaggregated. Having limited health literacy is known to be a contributing factor in health disparities among immigrant populations, though it has largely been understudied among FAs. The comparison of dietary intake, acculturation, dietary acculturation, and health literacy between Philippine-born (PBs) FAs and U.S-born (UBs) FAs has not previously been described. PBs and UBs (n=140) from across the U.S, completed an online survey that included general dietary intake, A Short Acculturation Scale for Filipino Americans (ASASFA), Dietary Acculturation Questionnaire for Filipino Americans (DAQFA), and a nutrition label assessment from the High Blood Pressure-Health Literacy Scale (HBP-HLS). While UBs maintained a higher acculturation (p <0.001), Western dietary acculturation (p=0.016), salty snacks intake (p=0.02), and alcohol intake (p=0.024) compared to PBs, other dietary outcomes and health literacy were similar. Majority of our overall sample exhibited adequate health literacy, whilst having high intakes of red and processed meats and low intake of fruits and vegetables. Results of this study indicate that health literacy may not be a major health determinant for this group and overall dietary quality of FAs can be improved. Further research is needed to better understand the patterns of a Filipino American diet.

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