Mexican American &

Diabetes Management

Randa Abdallah
Chelsea Amman

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Objectives
Identify the Mexican American population
Discuss the Mexican American diet
Consider different Medical Nutrition Therapy
suggestions to effectively counsel this
population

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 Introduction
Mexican Americans are one of the largest
subgroups among Hispanic people.
Over 18 million Mexican Americans are
living in the United States.
Hispanic immigrants come from Puerto
Rico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Central
America, South America, Caribbean, but
the most are from Mexico.

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Statistics
Diabetes, along with hypertension and
hypercholesterolemia, is a common disease among
Hispanics.
12.8% of Hispanic people have been diagnosed with
Diabetes.
Among the Hispanic adults, 13.9% are Mexican Americans
coming in second just behind Puerto Ricans for the highest
number of diabetes diagnoses.
Mexican Americans make up 12% of people in the United
States who are below the poverty line.

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Traditional Beliefs
Herbal Remedies
Cactus (nopal) and aloe vera (sabila) were mentioned
most commonly
Some hispanics believe that illness is caused by excessive
emotion, dislocation of internal organic, magic, or
imbalance in hot or cold.
Some Hispanic Americans believe that their disease is
caused by spiritual or natural punishments, natural
disease, or mental issue. These beliefs may result in poor
diabetes management.
Strong belief in prayer and spiritual strength to help with
illness and death. Strong belief and trust in God. 5
Dietary Staples
Mexican cuisine has roots in native Spanish and French cultures

Corn, tortillas, rice, bread.

Beans, eggs, fish, shellfish, chorizo (spicy pork sausage).
Tomatoes, squash, sweet potatoes, avocados, mangos, pineapples,
papayas, and aguas natuales or fresh fruit blended with sugar and
water.
Foods tend to be spicy and frying is a popular cooking method.
Coffee is often consumed with large amounts of milk and sugar.
Atole milk based beverage flavored with chocolate or fruit and
thickened with corn flour.
Soft drinks and fruit juices have become more popular recently.
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Potential Modifications
These pictures depict
Americanized versions of
Mexican food
Think portion control
Consider high fat staple
ingredients like avocados -
help with modifications
Guacamole made with half
greek yogurt mixed with an
avocado
Consider brown rice, or a mix
of brown and white

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 Potential Modifications

Main flavors used in traditional

Mexican dishes: chiles, cocoa, and
tomatoes.
Help your Mexican Americans patients
use these traditional flavors to
enhance flavors in a healthy way!
Example: Making Tacos healthy with
less meat and more vegetables,
substitute lettuce for other dark leafy The following images are obtained from
greens. the Institute for Family Health:
http://www.institute.org/health-
care/services/diabetes-
care/healthyplates/
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Healthy Plates Around the World

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Healthy Plates Around the World

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Healthy Plates Around the World

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Examples of Traditional Meals
Traditional 4-5 meals per day, some have adopted 3
meals per day.
Breakfast often includes something sweet (sweet rolls
pan dulce), eggs, chorizo, tortillas, beans, and coffee.
Lunch (between 1pm and 3pm) is the main meal and
consists of soup, meat, rice, tortillas, coffee, and dessert.
Supper (after 9 pm) consists of a variety of foods and may
depend on income this is usually a lighter meal.

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Why are Mexican Americans at risk for
developing diabetes?
High rates of obesity.
Dietary acculturation include high fat, high sugar, and
highly processed foods.
Difficulty with access to insurance and health care
providers.
Trust in family over everyone else.
Americanized versions of traditional Mexican dishes adding
more fat.

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Cultural Considerations
Family is a major consideration.
Very proud and private when associated with
family problems.
The families may not ask for help when
needed.
They might not have the money, resources,
or knowledge to find a provider.
About 27% of all Hispanic Americans are
earning less than the poverty income.
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Diabetes Self Management
Thoughts about Treatment
Mexican Americans reported difficulty acquiring
medications and the use of herbal remedies.
Mexican Americans frequently mentioned intentional
exercise of long duration as a management strategy.
Self monitoring of blood glucose levels was rarely
mentioned.
Language barriers can be an issue.
In one study, Mexican Americans frequently mentioned
diet as an important part of control, but could not
specify what that meant. 15
Role of the Dietitian

Obtain resources from the Nutrition Care

Manual: Resources Cultural Food Practices
Spanish-speaking handouts, pictures
Translators who are not family members
Try to include family as much as possible
during counseling
Incorporate and be familiar with typical
Mexican American staples

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References
Nnakwe, N. Community Nutrition: Planning Health Promotion and Disease
Prevention. 2nd Edition. 2013. Pages 128-129.
Mexican Americans. http://www.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/feature/mexican-
americans/
Image: https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Mexico_Genealogy
Image:https://media.sandiegoreader.com/img/photos/2014/05/12/cover_lead_t65
8.jpg?ff95ca2b4c25d2d6ff3bfb257febf11d604414e5.
Image: https://www.emaze.com/@ATFRQCWL/mexican-cuisine
Image: http://tulsafood.com/brookside/better-mexican-friendly-people-at-la-
hacienda.
Institute for Family Health. http://www.institute.org/health-
care/services/diabetes-care/healthyplates

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References
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/770627
Missed Opportunities for Diagnosis and Treatment of Diabetes,
Hypertension, and Hypercholesterolemia in a Mexican American
Population, Cameron County Hispanic Cohort, 2003-2008
http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/statistics
https://academic.oup.com/her/article/27/5/814/579889/Concepts-of-
diabetes-self-management-in-Mexican
http://www.foodbycountry.com/Kazakhstan-to-South-Africa/Mexico.html
http://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/HYG-5255
https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/pubs/statsreport14/national-diabetes-report-
web.pdf

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Questions or Comments?

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