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Public health research has been dominated by the biomedical model, which does not appear to be appropriate for studying public health variables across different populations. For example, when comparing the Hispanic American (HA) and African American (AA) population in the U.S., there are similarities on several demographic and public health variables. Despite these similarities, there is a public health paradox. HA with strong cultural ties engage in fewer high-risk behaviors and therefore have favorable health outcomes. The primary focus of this study however, is the health disparities between AA and HA girls in particular. Pediatric research indicates that HA girls are developing secondary sexual characteristics at a later age than AA girls. Researchers have acknowledged that growth trends are sensitive to life changes such as catastrophes, prosperity, and those which affect diet and lifestyle. Thus, this study investigated whether there are differences in food intake between HA and AA girls as a function of early sexual maturation and body image perceptions in the context of culture. Participating were 23 HA and 44 AA girls, aged 7 to 10 years, and 1 of their parent/guardians.

DISCUSSION

This study indicates that there are differences between the food consumption habits of the AA and HA cultures which may contribute to the differences in the development of secondary sexual characteristics. The reported median for the development of secondary sexual characteristics was 6 years for the AA girls and 10 years for the HA girls. This development was found among 49% of the AA girls and 35% of the HA girls. In general, AA girls with and without the development of secondary sexual characteristics consumed more lipids and saturated fats as compared to HA girls. These results are supported by the contentions of Jennings (1997) who reported that lipids would promote the development of secondary sexual characteristics. Jennings (1997) explains that the hormone leptin may be partially responsible for early sexual maturation. This suggested that body fat produces leptin, and this hormone signals the brain to begin sexual maturation. Thus, body fat percentage would determine the onset of puberty. Note: consumer research surveys indicate that low fiber and high fat diets are typical among AAs (Pratt & Pratt, 1996).

Calcium consumption has also been implicated in early sexual maturation. Wang et al. (1997) found that apparent greater femoral neck bone mineral density (BMAD) was positively correlated with calcium consumption, and was found in early pubertal females. HA girls were manifesting secondary sexual characteristics (breast development) probably due to this high consumption of calcium. This development however, was found at a later age than among AA girls. Thus, different foods have been implicated as contributing to early sexual maturation across cultures. It is possible that lipids and saturated fats consumption is a potent trigger for early sexual maturation, with calcium consumption having a delayed impact on this maturation. That AA girls enter puberty earlier than HA girls followed by a Caucasian girls has been corroborated by the NHANES 2003 data analyzed by Wu et al. (2002).

Results also revealed cultural differences in Body Image Satisfaction. AA girls seemed to be more satisfied with their body image (Mean = 60) than were HA girls (Mean = 1.39). It is important to note that since the difference between the current and preferred body image was positive, both groups showed a preference for the thinner body image. HA girls body image satisfaction was positively correlated with the consumption of lipids and saturated fats, indicating that the discrepancy between the current and preferred body image increased with an increased consumption of lipids and saturated fats. No relationships between Body Image Satisfaction and food consumption were found among AA girls, thus indicating a cultural difference. This absence of a relationship is significant because it may indicate that the AA girls do not perceive their body image as being associated with their food consumption. This absence of perception of a relationship may precipitate obesity and obesity-related health risks.

Although the results are provocative, it is important to note that a small HA sample size was used, which ruled out the use of powerful parametric analyses; thus non-parametric statistics had to be used. This small sample was used primarily because of potential participants' concerns about divulging family information at a time when there is the possibility of deportation/loss of security.

Despite its weaknesses, this study is innovative; such an empirical investigation of the nutritional theory in a cultural context has not been previously conduced. Also, an investigation of the relationship between body image perceptions, food consumption, and health outcomes such as early sexual maturation in the context of culture is a new area of research. This study helps promote minority youth health via a focused dissemination of the knowledge of healthful eating behaviors.