Psychometric properties of a modified US-household food security survey module in Campinas, Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the internal validity of a multiple-item measure of household food security in Brazil using statistical methods based on the single-parameter logistic (Rasch) measurement model. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Sample of the non-institutionalized civilian population living in the municipality of Campinas selected using stratified cluster sampling. Of the 1000 households randomly chosen, 847 responded to the interview. Responses to each of the 15 questions were coded into dichotomous items indicating whether the specific food-insecure condition had occurred (other than in just 1 or 2 days) during the 3 months before the survey. Scaling analyses were conducted separately as well as jointly for adult/household-related items and child-related items. Item-fit statistics were examined to determine the extent to which the items appear to measure the same underlying phenomenon, and item severity scores were compared with those of equivalent items in the US Current Population Survey. CONCLUSIONS: Except for one item, infit statistics were within a range considered adequate (0.80-1.2), indicating a common phenomenon being measured with approximately equal discrimination. The relative severities of the items in the Campinas survey were generally similar to those of equivalent items in the US Current Population Survey. Analysis of all 15 items together indicates a higher severity level for child-related items compared with equivalent adult-related items.

Acculturation of Mexican-American mothers influences child feeding strategies.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of maternal acculturation level on child feeding strategies and anthropometry in preschoolers from low-income Mexican-American families. DESIGN/SUBJECTS: Data are from a cross-sectional survey of 238 low-income Mexican-American families with preschool children living in California during 1998. Interviewers collected data from the mothers on child-feeding practices and weighed and measured the children in their homes. STATISTICAL ANALYSES: Spearman's correlation coefficients, analysis of variance, and chi 2 were used to examine the relationship pf maternal acculturation level with feeding strategies and anthropometric measurements. RESULTS: Compared with more acculturated mothers, less acculturated mothers tend to offer alternative foods more often when their children refuse to eat. More acculturated women are less likely to view bribes, threats, and punishments as effective strategies and are more likely to give vitamins than less acculturated mothers. Maternal acculturation is not associated with differences in weight-for-height z-scores, height-for-age, or body mass index of the children. Triceps skinfold thickness are larger in children of more acculturated mothers than in children of less acculturated women. APPLICATIONS/CONCLUSIONS: Dietitians should consider differences in child feeding practices due to acculturation among Mexican-Americans. Successful strategies to encourage consumption of nutritious traditional foods and to transition from child-led snacking to more structured meals should be part of nutrition education programs.