Citation
Albrecht, Sandra S.; Diez-Roux, Ana V.; Aiello, Allison E.; Schulz, Amy J.; & Abraido-Lanza, Ana F. (2013). Secular Trends in the Association between Nativity/Length of US Residence with Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference among Mexican-Americans, 1988–2008. International Journal of Public Health, 58(4), 573-581. PMCID: PMC3570586Abstract
Objectives: We investigated whether associations between nativity/length of US residence and body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) varied over the past two decades.Methods: Mexican-Americans aged 20–64 years from the National Health and Nutrition Survey (NHANES) III (1988–1994), and NHANES (1999–2008). Sex-stratified multivariable linear regression models further adjusted for age, education, and NHANES period.
Results: We found no evidence of secular variation in the nativity/length of US residence gradient for men or women. Foreign-born Mexican-Americans, irrespective of residence length, had lower mean BMI and WC than their US-born counterparts. However among women, education modified secular trends in nativity differentials: notably, in less-educated women, nativity gradients widened over time due to alarming increases in BMI among the US-born and little increase in the foreign-born.
Conclusions: Associations between nativity/length of US residence and BMI/WC did not vary over this 20-year period, but we noted important modifications by education in women. Understanding these trends is important for identifying vulnerable subpopulations among Mexican-Americans and for the development of effective health promotion strategies in this fast-growing segment of the population.
URL
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00038-012-0414-5Reference Type
Journal ArticleYear Published
2013Journal Title
International Journal of Public HealthAuthor(s)
Albrecht, Sandra S.Diez-Roux, Ana V.
Aiello, Allison E.
Schulz, Amy J.
Abraido-Lanza, Ana F.