October Article Discussion Summary

After reviewing everyone's responses to the three questions for October's journal club articles, I compiled a summary of the group's consensual answers.

I asked:
What are some interventions that dietitians could implement to prevent obesity in immigrants?

You said:
-Become aware of other cultures' dietary habits, socioeconomic status, and languages
-Know comfortable, healthy, alternative foods to suggest as replacements for unhealthy choices in America
-Educate, possibly with hand-outs on how to adapt to US dietary habits/lifestyle and at the youngest age possible to ensure healthy eating through multiple generations
-Encourage immigrants to to maintain traditional habits as feasible

I asked:
Why would BMI increase secondary to length of stay in the US?

You said:
-As length of stay in the US increases, exposure to/adoption of convenient, large portioned, fried food consumption increases
-As length of stay in the US increases, exposure to/adoption of the use of escalators, drive thrus, and motorized scooters increases, thus decreasing physical exertion
-As length of stay in the US increases, exposure/adoption of American cultural practices (such as 'finish everything on your plate') increases
-As length of stay in the US increases, immigrants lose sense of traditions from their birth countries

I asked:
Why does BMI differ more significantly among country of origin rather than race/ethnicity?

You said:
-The environment in country of origin (nurture) impacts nutritional choices more profoundly than race (nature)
-Countries differ in type and amount of food available, thus varying effects on BMI
-Dietary and physical activity habits are formed early in the early stages of life, which are most likely learned in country of origin, not by racial category