News

A new study published in the November 2004 issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine links increased rates of obesity among Hispanic immigrants to their length of residence in the U.S.

The article, “The association between length of residence and obesity among Hispanic immigrants,” was written by Mark Kaplan of Portland State University’s School of Community Health, and co-authored by Nathalie Huguet, PSU School of Community Health; Jason Newsom, PSU Institute on Aging; and Bentson McFarland, Oregon Health & Science University’s Department of Psychiatry.

The study analyzed data for 2,420 foreign-born Hispanic adults from the 1998 National Health Interview Survey. The prevalence of obesity among those with 0 to 4, 5 to 9, 10 to 14, and over 15 years of residence in the United States was 9.4%, 14.5%, 21.0%, and 24.2%, respectively.

A statistical analysis found that longer-term Hispanic immigrants (over 15 years) experienced almost four-times greater risk of obesity than did recent immigrants (less than 5 years). The analysis was adjusted for factors such as smoking, physical inactivity, self-assessed health, chronic conditions, functional limitations, nonspecific psychological distress, several socio-demographic characteristics and access to health services.

The report concludes that the higher risk for obesity associated with length of residence may be due to acculturation processes such as the adoption of unhealthy dietary practices (i.e., a diet high in fat and low in fruits and vegetables) and sedentary lifestyle behaviors in the U.S. Results of this study may facilitate the planning of public health interventions that are directed at subgroups of the Hispanic population who are at greatest risk. The report notes that Hispanic immigrants tend to be healthier than their U.S.-born counterparts, but that distinction diminishes over time.

The research reinforces a growing awareness of the health impacts of length of residence—a proxy measure of acculturation—on immigrants to the United States. A similar study published in the June 2002 issue of the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health by Kaplan, et al, linked cultural adaptation to increased rates of hypertension among Asians immigrating to Canada, a health issue that, like obesity, is closely linked to factors such as diet, exercise and access to health care.

The study was funded by the Northwest Health Foundation. For a full-text version of the article, contact David Santen in the Office of Marketing and Communications at Portland State University, 503-725-8789 or santend@pdx.edu.

Source:
Mark Kaplan (503-725-8588 or kaplanm@pdx.edu)
PSU School of Community Health