OBJECTIVES: We examined patterns of body mass index (BMI) and obesity among a nationally representative sample of first-, second-, and third-generation Latinos and Asian Americans to reveal associations with nativity or country of origin. METHODS: We used data from the National Latino and Asian American Survey (2002-2003) to generate nationally representative estimates of mean BMI and obesity prevalence and explored changes in the distribution of BMI by generational status. Analyses tested the association between generational status and BMI and examined whether this association varied by ethnicity, education, or gender. RESULTS: We found substantial heterogeneity in BMI and obesity by country of origin and an increase in BMI in later generations among most subgroups. The data suggest different patterns for Latinos and Asian Americans in the nature and degree of distributional changes in BMI with generational status in the United States. CONCLUSIONS: Generational status is associated with increased BMI and obesity among Latinos and Asian Americans. Aggregate estimates not accounting for nativity and country of origin may mask significant heterogeneity in the prevalence of obesity and patterns of distributional change, with implications for prevention strategies.
OBJECTIVES: We examined patterns of body mass index (BMI) and obesity among a nationally representative sample of first-, second-, and third-generation Latinos and Asian Americans to reveal associations with nativity or country of origin. METHODS: We used data from the National Latino and Asian American Survey (2002-2003) to generate nationally representative estimates of mean BMI and obesity prevalence and explored changes in the distribution of BMI by generational status. Analyses tested the association between generational status and BMI and examined whether this association varied by ethnicity, education, or gender. RESULTS: We found substantial heterogeneity in BMI and obesity by country of origin and an increase in BMI in later generations among most subgroups. The data suggest different patterns for Latinos and Asian Americans in the nature and degree of distributional changes in BMI with generational status in the United States. CONCLUSIONS: Generational status is associated with increased BMI and obesity among Latinos and Asian Americans. Aggregate estimates not accounting for nativity and country of origin may mask significant heterogeneity in the prevalence of obesity and patterns of distributional change, with implications for prevention strategies.
Authors: María A Hernández-Valero; L Patricia Bustamante-Montes; Mike Hernández; Elizabeth Halley-Castillo; Anna V Wilkinson; Melissa L Bondy; Norma Olvera Journal: J Immigr Minor Health Date: 2012-08
Authors: Shan Liu; Mei R Fu; Sophia H Hu; Vincent Y Wang; Robert Crupi; Jeanna M Qiu; Chuck Cleland; Gail D'Eramo Melkus Journal: Obes Res Clin Pract Date: 2015-04-30 Impact factor: 2.288
Authors: Yikyung Park; Sophia Wang; Cari M Kitahara; Steven C Moore; Amy Berrington de Gonzalez; Leslie Bernstein; Ellen T Chang; Alan J Flint; D Michal Freedman; J Michael Gaziano; Robert N Hoover; Martha S Linet; Mark Purdue; Kim Robien; Catherine Schairer; Howard D Sesso; Emily White; Bradley J Willcox; Michael J Thun; Patricia Hartge; Walter C Willett Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2014-01-16 Impact factor: 9.308