Honors College Theses

Publication Date

2026

Major

Nutrition & Food Science (B.S.)

Release Option

Restricted to Georgia Southern

Faculty Mentor

Encarnación Cruz Jiménez

Abstract

The Hispanic population in the United States is growing rapidly, and currently represents approximately one-fifth of the population, with Spanish as the second most spoken language. Despite this growth, language and cultural barriers continue to limit access to healthcare and nutrition services, contributing to the prevalence of chronic disease in Hispanic communities. Hispanics are also underrepresented among healthcare providers, including dietitians, further limiting access to culturally and linguistically appropriate care. This study examines the availability of culturally sensitive, Spanish-language health and nutrition resources in Southeast Georgia. Potential barriers within the community were examined using the Social Determinants of Health framework. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews with healthcare providers and experiential insights from leading a community-based bilingual nutrition class. Results were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. This study argues that increasing bilingual dietitians and culturally tailored nutrition interventions is the most effective strategy to reduce chronic disease disparities in Hispanic communities in Southeast Georgia.

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