Acculturation and diet quality of young Filipino children in the United States Affiliated Pacific Islands

Filipinos are among the largest ethnic groups in Hawaiʻi, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), yet little is known about the nutritional status of Filipino children in these jurisdictions which is critical to disease prevention among Filipino adults. Nutritional status and intake of foods and nutrients of Filipino children from Hawaiʻi, Guam, and CNMI was compared using cross-sectional analysis of data from the Children’s Healthy Living (CHL) Program prevalence study (2013–2014). The sample included 446 Filipino children in Hawaiʻi, Guam, and CNMI. Demographics, weight and height status, Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2020 scores, and nutrient intakes were measured across the three jurisdictions. Survey-weighted models compared demographics, weight status, diet quality, and nutrient intakes across jurisdictions. Mean HEI-2020 scores were suboptimal (50.1 ±0.99), with the highest in CNMI (52.1), followed by Hawaiʻi (51.1), and Guam (48.9). White rice and two-percent milk were dominant contributors to multiple nutrients in all jurisdictions. Young Filipino children in the Pacific can improve diet quality. Variation in diet intake across jurisdictions call for culturally and geographically tailored nutrition interventions.