We found a match
Your institution may have rights to this item. Sign in to continue.
- Title
Weight Status of Mexican Immigrant Women: A Comparison With Women in Mexico and With US-Born Mexican American Women.
- Authors
Guendelman, Sylvia D.; Ritterman-Weintraub, Miranda L.; Fernald, Lia C. H.; Kaufer-Horwitz, Martha
- Abstract
Objectives. We assessed the association between birthplace, residence, or years in the United States and actual weight (body mass index), perceived weight accuracy, or provider screens for overweight or obesity among Mexican immigrant women. Methods. We used linked data from Health and Nutrition Examination Survey waves 2001-2006 and 2006 National Mexican Health and Nutrition Survey to compare 513 immigrants with 9527 women in Mexico and 342 US-born Mexican American women. Results. Immigrants were more likely than women in Mexico to be obese and to perceive themselves as overweight or obese after adjustment for confounders. Recent immigrants had similar weight-related outcomes as women in Mexico. Immigrants were less likely to be obese than were US-born Mexican Americans. Within the overweight or obese population, reported provider screens were higher among immigrants than among women in Mexico, but lower than among US-born Mexican Americans. US residency of at least 5 years but less than 20 years and reporting insufficient provider screens elevated obesity risk. Conclusions. Mexican-origin women in the United States and Mexico are at risk for overweight and obesity. We found no evidence of a "healthy immigrant" effect.
- Subjects
MEXICO; UNITED States; BODY weight; HISPANIC Americans; NOMADS; WOMEN
- Publication
American Journal of Public Health, 2013, Vol 103, Issue 9, p1634
- ISSN
0090-0036
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.2105/AJPH.2012.301171