Date of Award

Fall 2023

Project Type

Thesis

Program or Major

Nutritional Sciences

Degree Name

Master of Science

First Advisor

Maria Carlota Dao

Second Advisor

Sherman Bigornia

Third Advisor

Analena Bruce

Abstract

The US Hispanic population, which has doubled in size in New Hampshire (NH) over the last decade, experiences a high prevalence of cardiometabolic disease and food insecurity. Fiber intake, which can be protective against cardiometabolic disease, decreases in Hispanics after a period of living in US food environments. Multi-level approaches have been effective at addressing diet quality and cardiometabolic disease in vulnerable populations and are warranted in NH Hispanic communities. Using the Socioecological Model (SEM), this thesis examined the influences of the individual, setting, sector, and social/cultural SEM levels on access to nutritious foods in Hispanic/Latino communities in NH. Additionally, it identified opportunities for improving nutrition access, diet intake, food security, and preventing cardiometabolic disease among this population. The first chapter of this thesis characterizes the relationship between metrics of nutrition access to health and sociocultural outcomes for Hispanic individuals living in NH. The second chapter identifies opportunities for stakeholders to participate in multi-level, collaborative, culturally-tailored approaches aimed at improving nutrition access in NH’s Hispanic/ Latino communities. It is hypothesized that multi-level, collaborative, and culturally-tailored approaches are needed to reduce barriers for consumers and stakeholders and to improve nutrition access in NH’s Hispanic/Latino communities. Assessing the various dimensions of nutrition access and identifying opportunities for stakeholders to participate in its improvement can guide the development of future nutrition access policies and programs in NH. This, in turn, will help address the prevalence of food insecurity and cardiometabolic disease in this population.

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