A recent study has shed light on potential strategies to address health disparities among Hispanic/Latino populations in the United States, particularly those of Mexican descent. The research, conducted in Southern Arizona, focused on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition disproportionately affecting this ethnic group and a known risk factor for liver cancer.
The study involved 280 overweight or obese Hispanic/Latino adults of Mexican descent, examining the relationship between adherence to a traditional Mexican diet and the risk of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis. These conditions represent different stages of liver damage associated with NAFLD.
Researchers found that U.S.-born participants who followed a more traditional Mexican diet had a lower risk of hepatic steatosis. For every point increase in adherence to the traditional diet, there was a 5.7-point decrease in the hepatic steatosis score. This finding suggests that encouraging U.S.-born individuals of Mexican descent to adopt more traditional dietary patterns could help reduce their risk of NAFLD.
The study also revealed interesting differences based on birthplace and gender. U.S.-born participants generally had diets that were least traditional, while Mexico-born women adhered most closely to traditional Mexican dietary patterns.
These results highlight the potential of cultural dietary practices in preventing and managing NAFLD among minority populations. For Hispanic/Latino women, who often play a central role in family nutrition, this research underscores the importance of maintaining traditional food choices to promote better health outcomes.
The findings offer a promising avenue for addressing health disparities and suggest that culturally tailored dietary recommendations could be an effective strategy in public health interventions targeting Hispanic/Latino communities in the United States.
See “Traditional Mexican Diet Related to Lower Hepatic Steatosis Among U.S.-Born Mexican Americans” (September 17, 2024)
