Understanding Latin@ Diets
One research group’s efforts to empower fellow Latin@s
By Cristine Masters

Recently, I interviewed Dr. Hugo Melgar-Quiñónez, the principal investigator (PI) of an OSU research team focused on improving attitudes and behaviors related to nutrition and health in the Latin@ community. I asked him why he and his collaborators, Dr. Ana Claudia Zubieta and Dr. María del Carmen Lambea, became involved in their current efforts. Dr. Melgar-Quiñónez, an assistant professor in the College of Human Ecology, said his research team is attempting to fill a huge gap within the Latin@ community by providing culturally oriented wellness education and investigating Latin@ attitudes on diet and exercise.

The gap the research team is attempting to fill is threefold: limited research has been conducted on the fastest growing population in the United States, there is a deficit of health knowledge among Latin@s, and the prevalence of diabetes and obesity among Latin@s is exceedingly disproportionate. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,1999), diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death among Hispanics, and Latin@s are twice as likely to have diabetes as non-Hispanic whites.

In his research, Dr. Melgar-Quiñónez investigated Latin@ communities and found widespread beliefs about health and illness that are contrary to messages provided by U.S. health agencies and institutions, which work to prevent and manage chronic disease. For instance, he found that a popular belief among immigrant Latin@s is that diabetes is a curable illness brought about by “susto” (fear) or “coraje” (anger). Dr. Melgar-Quiñónez’s team hopes to continue to uncover the diverse cultural backgrounds, attitudes and behaviors that Latin@ immigrants bring into the United States and discover how these factors influence their health beliefs.

In order to reach this goal, in addition to the local work with the Ohio Latin@ community, Dr. Melgar-Quiñónez and his team conduct research in food security and nutrition in several Latin American countries (Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, and Brazil). This collaborative approach is unique in nutrition research, and the reason this effort is so pivotal is that dietary habits are determined by cultural, economic and social factors. Thus, Melgar-Quiñónez said that learning about the living conditions in native communities of Latin@ immigrants is essential to addressing their nutritional and health-related behaviors once they have moved to the United States. The team anticipates that their research will eventually influence the creation of highly effective exercise and nutrition programs designed specifically for Latin@s.

During my conversations with the research team, another matter repeatedly came up in their comments: “New immigrants lack information, lack access to healthcare, and lack medical insurance…it is vital that established Latin@s extend helping hands to these newcomers and support immigrant Latin@s’ acculturation or acclimation to their new surroundings.” Melgar-Quiñónez also underscores the importance of acting now, rather than waiting until this population becomes larger and harmful health beliefs and behaviors continue to negatively impact the community.

Dr. Melgar-Quiñónez’s team works with local organizations to conduct research and develop intervention programs. Currently, the programming takes place in a Hispanic church on Columbus’ west side and is provided free to the local Latin@ community. Several OSU students assist with both the study intervention and research efforts. The team includes Venezuelan student Katherine Zapata, three graduate students and four undergraduate students (two of them OSU honors students). Dr. Melgar-Quiñónez stresses that the team needs more students of diverse academic backgrounds, and he emphasizes that team members promote cultural competency and a spirit of respect.

Anyone interested in assisting the team’s research can email melgar-quinonez.1@osu.edu.

Cristine Masters is a master’s student in the Family Nurse Practi-tioner Program and a regular contributor to ¿Qué Pasa, OSU?