Dietary Guidelines for Americans every 5 y (30). These guidelines emphasize a diverse and balanced diet largely based on the consumption of whole grains and fresh fruits and vegetables (F&V),3 followed by the consumption of nutritious dairy and lean animal protein foods. Moreover, the guidelines suggest adequate physical activity with moderate intake of energy, with the hope of helping to alleviate the serious obesity epidemic in the U.S. These guidelines specifically recommend limiting the consumption of refined sugar, saturated fat, trans fatty acids, and avoiding an overconsumption of total energy.

Whereas some previous studies explored how dietary practices vary across ethnic and racial groups in the U.S., others examined the diet acculturation relation among Latinos. The following sections of our review examine the influence of acculturation on dietary habits across the lifespan of Latinos (Table 1). Breast-feeding. Studies in the U.S. and other industrialized nations have shown that breast-fed children are less prone to gastrointestinal and respiratory infections (31), die during infancy (32), and becoming obese (33).

Further, breast-fed children in industrialized and developing nations have increased optimal visual and mental development, and women who breast-feed their children are less likely to experience breast cancer (34).

Consequently, the American Academy of Pediatrics

recommends that babies be breast-fed exclusively for 6 mo, followed by the introduction of healthy weaning foods and continued breast-feeding until the child is at least 1 y of age. This

clearly illustrates why it is important to examine influences of acculturation on breast-feeding among Latinas.

untuk mendapatkan naskah aslinya silahkan download disini.