Relationships Between Children's Food Consumption and Social and Cultural Capital Levels Among Latino, Hmong, and Non-Hispanic White Parents of K–2 Children

Abstract

This study examined associations between social and cultural capital levels and children's food consumption among Latino, Hmong, and non-Hispanic white parents. A total of 292 parents of K–2 children in Northern California completed a survey. Children's consumption and social and cultural capital levels among Latino, Hmong, and non-Hispanic white parents were measured. Hmong children had significantly higher consumption of vegetables and local produce compared to Latino and non-Hispanic white children. Parents with an open attitude toward food from other ethnic groups fed children significantly more vegetables. Additionally, children of parents with access to professional nutrition education consumed fewer processed and fast foods. Children of parents applying child feeding information from their own family or friends consumed fewer fruits and vegetables and more fast foods. Access to nutrition education from professionals and encouraging bridging cultural capital among parents from different ethnic/cultural groups through local produce promotion may be effective in increasing fruit and vegetable consumption among children.

Keywords:

• ethnicity
• children's food consumption
• local produce
• social capital
• cultural capital

Acknowledgments

This study was funded by a grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture—Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) program (Grant/Award No. 2011-69001-30080). The authors thank the study participants and research assistants for their support.