Latinos experience higher rates of obesity than Whites do, with even higher rates in rural areas. Rural populations face unique environmental conditions because of its isolated location, the limited infrastructure and resources available. A particularly vulnerable group in rural (agricultural) areas are farm workers. There are approximately 800,000 farm workers in California, most of whom are Latino immigrants.

Using data from three studies in California, we documented the high risk of diet-related health conditions in Latino farmworkers (Matias et al., 2022). We observed differences in chronic health risks between women and men, suggesting that clinical and public health responses might need to be sex-specific (Matias et al., 2022). Expansion of eligibility for supplemental nutrition programs for this population with low wages could increase access to health foods and reduce health risks in this population.

Studying a cohort of Latino farmworkers in the California Central Valley, we assessed the association between acculturation and fruit/vegetable consumption and fat intake. Overall, low acculturation was associated with healthier dietary patterns (Matias et al., 2013), even in this low acculturated population. Interestingly, we also found that school attendance in the US and having children was related to higher fat intake (Matias et al., 2013). A deeper understanding of this population’s dietary practices and associated factors can assist the development of interventions.

The PASOS SALUDABLES was a worksite intervention aimed at reducing obesity and preventing diabetes among farmworkers. Despite promising results in a pilot study at a community clinic, when the intervention was implemented during meal breaks in the fields no reduction in body mass index (BMI) or other clinical indicators was detected (Matias et al., 2022). Nevertheless, our findings highlight the feasibility of recruiting and engaging the Latino farmworker population in workplace health promotion interventions.

Ongoing projects

• Food security and utilization of food assistance programs among farmworker households in Central California