HHS HealthBeat (April 3, 2012)

Growing away from the roots

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

First generation Mexican-American kids weigh less than second- and third-generation kids, and a study indicates a reason for it can be found in what they eat.

At the University of South Carolina, Jihong Liu looked at national survey data on nearly 2,300 Mexican-Americans between the ages of 12 and 19. She checked for height and weight:

“Compared with the first generation, the second and third generation has a poor dietary quality. They consumed significantly less fruit and vegetables, and meat and beans.”  (10 seconds)

Liu thinks they’ve grown away from their dietary roots in traditional Mexican food, which favors items such as those.

The study in the Journal of Nutrition was supported by HHS’ Health Resources and Services Administration.

Learn more at hhs.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: April 3, 2012