(P20-057-24) Eating and Drinking Behaviors Considered “Healthy” and Frequency of Engaging in Such Behaviors of Overweight or Obese Central American Men

Objectives: To identify eating and drinking behaviors middle-age, low-income, overweight or obese Central American men consider “healthy” and the frequency they engage in such behaviors using a mixed-method study design.

Methods: Spanish-speaking, middle-age, low-income, overweight or obese Central American men were recruited from local churches, fairs, and community centers in the Washington, D.C. area. In phase 1, participants (n=50) were asked to generate statements in response to “Something healthy I do related to eating / drinking is…”. In total, 236 statements were generated and pooled together and analyzed using idea synthesis, a type of content analysis in which redundant ideas were merged into a single statement maintaining participants’ collective wording. Among the statements, 69 unique eating and drinking behaviors were identified and organized into distinct categories based on their meaning. In phase 2, participants (n=50) rated how frequently they engaged in the behaviors on a Likert-type scale from 1 (never) to 5 (always).

Results: Participants mean age was 51.4±6.6 years. The range of eating and drinking behaviors perceived as “healthy” spanned 17 distinct categories from the inclusion of specific foods and beverages to the elimination of others to portion size control to avoidance of certain eateries, e.g., fast food. Those behaviors participants reported engaging in most frequently included “Eating homemade and traditional foods (3.63),” particularly those low in fat and sugar, “Eating vegetables (3.33),” including beans, peas, and lentils, and “Eating fruits (3.33)” such as apples, pears, and strawberries. Infrequent behaviors included “Eating plant-based protein (2.34),” like nuts and nut butters, “Drinking alcohol (2.23),” including beer and wine, and “Drinking beverages with artificial sweeteners (2.12)” such as diet drinks.

Conclusions: Findings indicate middle-age, low-income, overweight or obese Central American men are knowledgeable about a range of eating and drinking behaviors, while highlighting the need for interventions that would support these men in increasing the frequency of healthy behaviors they rarely engage in, e.g., choosing plant-based protein meals, adapted in traditional culturally specific ways.

Funding Sources: Sumner Redstone Global Center for Prevention and Wellness