Is acculturation related to obesity in Hispanic/Latino adults? Results from the Hispanic community health study/study of Latinos.

Carmen R Isasi,Janice Barnhart,Guadalupe X Ayala,Anna Maria Siega-Riz,Martha L Daviglus,Linda Van Horn,Frank Penedo,Catherine M Loria,Neil Schneiderman,Daniela Sotres-Alvarez,Hala Madanat,John P Elder

doi:10.1155/2015/186276

Abstract

Background. The study examined the association of obesity with acculturation in a large and diverse sample of US Hispanic/Latino adults. Methods. The Hispanic Community Health Study (HCHS)/Study of Latinos (SOL) is a community-based cohort study of Hispanic/Latino adults aged 18–74 years (N = 16,415) from four urban areas. Height and weight were directly measured using a standardized protocol. Acculturation was assessed by the Short Acculturation Scale for Hispanics (SASH). Other immigration related variables included place of birth, length of residency in the US, and age at immigration. Odds ratios were calculated to assess the association of overweight, moderate obesity, and extreme obesity (≥40 kg/m2) with acculturation and sociodemographic variables. Results. The prevalence of obesity was 42.4% for women and 36.5% for men and varied by field center and Hispanic/Latino background. The strongest predictor of moderate and extreme obesity was length of residency in mainland US. This association was consistent across Hispanic/Latino backgrounds. Acculturation was not significantly associated with obesity. Discussion. The burden of obesity is high among Hispanic/Latino adults. The study findings suggest that prolonged exposure to the environments in these communities, rather than acculturation, is an important risk factor for obesity in this population.

Highlights

Hispanics living in the US are disproportionately represented in the obesity epidemic
Because the prevalence of extreme obesity has risen in the US, among minority groups [7], and because individuals with extreme obesity have higher CVD risk and mortality [8], we examined the burden of extreme obesity and the sociodemographic risk factors associated with the prevalence of this condition in this diverse sample of Hispanic/Latino adults
Differences in extreme obesity followed the same pattern; the Bronx had the highest prevalence of extreme obesity (7.1%; 95% CI 5.6, 8.6), followed by Chicago (5.5%; 95% CI 4.7, 6.4), San Diego (5.0%; 95% CI 3.8, 6.2), and Miami (4.2%; 95% CI 3.4, 5.0)

Summary

Introduction

Hispanics living in the US are disproportionately represented in the obesity epidemic. Data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009-2010 showed that the prevalence of obesity among Hispanic adults, primarily Mexican Americans, is higher than non-Hispanic whites, with significant increases over the last decade for Mexican Americans [1] Despite their diversity in origins and culture [2], national survey data do not present a clear picture of the burden of obesity and its risk factors among the various Hispanic groups other than those of Mexican. The study examined the association of obesity with acculturation in a large and diverse sample of US Hispanic/Latino adults. The strongest predictor of moderate and extreme obesity was length of residency in mainland US This association was consistent across Hispanic/Latino backgrounds. The study findings suggest that prolonged exposure to the environments in these communities, rather than acculturation, is an important risk factor for obesity in this population

Methods

Results

Conclusion