Keywords

assessment, Latino, portion size estimation

 

Authors

  1. Colby, Sarah Elizabeth PhD, RD
  2. Johnson, LuAnn MS
  3. Cutrell, Stephanie B. MS, RD
  4. Haldeman, Lauren A. PhD

Abstract

Self-report is the primary dietary assessment method used in clinical practice. The ability of newly arrived Latino immigrants to accurately identify portion sizes is largely unknown. Latino youth (n = 51) and their parents (n = 28) participated in a 5-minute portion size estimation training and then estimated portion sizes of 17 food models. The mean error for child and parent underestimation was 30% and 22%, respectively, and overestimation was 102% and 34%, respectively. Both children and parents under- and overestimated portion sizes. Healthcare professionals need to be aware of estimation errors when assessing intake, developing recommendations, and conducting education for newly arrived Latino patients.