Hispanic American Adults Research Articles

Agreement Between Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis and Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry to Estimate Fat Mass in Hispanic Adults With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Adipose tissue excess is associated with adverse health outcomes, including type 2 diabetes. Body mass index (BMI) is used to evaluate obesity but is inaccurate as it does not account for muscle mass, bone density, and fat distribution. Accurate measurement of adipose tissue through dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and computed axial tomography (CT) is crucial for managing and monitoring adiposity-related diseases. Still, these are not easily accessible in most hospitals in Mexico. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is non-invasive and low-cost but may not be reliable in conditions affecting the body's hydration status, like diabetes. To assess fat mass concordance between BIA and DXA in Hispanic-American adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Cross-sectional study of a non-probabilistic sample of subjects over 18 years with type 2 diabetes. We used DXA as the reference method. We evaluated the accuracy of FM estimation through BIA and DXA in 309 subjects with type 2 diabetes. Results showed a trend of overestimating the diagnosis of obesity using BIA, especially in individuals with a higher fat mass index (FMI). At the group level, we found BIA accurate; however, at the individual level, it is not. The bias between the 2 methods showed a statistically significant overestimation of body fat by BIA (P ⩽ .01) in both sexes. BIA demonstrated high precision in estimating fat mass. We were able to provide a correction factor of 0.55 kg in men. BIA is inaccurate compared to DXA for body composition assessment in patients with diabetes. Inaccurate measurements can result in misclassification. However, BIA is precise for body composition assessment in patients with diabetes, so it is reliable for tracking patient progress over time.

Forearm vascular conductance responses to rhythmic handgrip in young Hispanic American adults compared to Caucasian American adults

Hispanic American (HA) individuals have double the prevalence and earlier onset of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) compared to Caucasian American (CA) individuals. The underlying mechanisms for this disproportionately high incidence of T2D in HA individuals remains unknown. Impaired vascular dysfunction is a well-known hallmark of T2D however, very few studies have investigated vascular function in HA population. Equivocal results have been reported regarding flow-mediated dilation (FMD), a measure of endothelium-mediated, nitric oxide-dependent vasodilation in response to a cuff inflation, in HA population. In addition, vascular responsiveness during exercise has not been investigated in this racial group. Previous studies have indicated that exercise at increasing workloads elicits progressive increases in shear stress causing intensity-dependent vasodilation, which is primarily mediated by NO. Therefore, we aim to extend the previous findings by evoking a stepwise increase in shear stress during three exercise workloads to investigate the vascular function in HA adults during exercise. We tested the hypothesis that HA individuals would exhibit an attenuated forearm blood flow (FBF) and forearm vascular conductance (FVC) compared to CA individuals during RHG (rhythmic handgrip exercise). Forearm blood flow (duplex Doppler ultrasound), heart rate (ECG) and mean arterial pressure (MAP; finger photoplethysmography) were measured in young, healthy CA (n = 17 (7M/10F)) as well as in young, healthy HA (n = 13 (7M/6F)) during three trials of RHG performed at 15%, 30%, and 45% of their maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). As studies have reported sex differences in vascular function in HA previously, data will be presented in different sexes(Mean±standard deviation). In men, baseline FBF (CA: 121.1±45.6, HA: 98.7±34.5, p=0.28), MAP (CA: 84±6, HA: 85±7, p=0.47), FVC (calculated as FBF/MAP, p=0.28), and MVCs (CA: 79±15, HA: 74±17, p=0.19) were similar between groups. Similarly, in women, baseline FBF (CA: CA: 67.8±22.6, HA: 67.3±5.2, p=0.98), MAP (CA: 84±9, HA: 82±6, p=0.64), FVC (p=0.95), and MVC (CA: 49±6, HA: 53±13, p=0.21) were not different between groups. In men, an intensity-dependent increase in FVC and FBF was observed, with no difference between the racial groups (e.g., %Δ FVC 45%MVC CA=417±296% vs. HA=367±84% in HA; race effect p=0.40, intensity effect p<0.01, interaction p=0.32). Increase in MAP was also not significant (e.g., ΔMAP 45%MVC CA=8±5, HA=11±7, p=0.50) In women, a similar intensity-dependent increase in FVC and FBF was observed (e.g., %Δ FVC 45%MVC: 455±164% in CA, 418±104% in HA; race effect p=0.48, intensity effect p<0.01, interaction p=0.92). Increase in MAP was also not significant. (e.g., ΔMAP 45%MVC CA=15±8, HA=12±8, p=0.41) These preliminary findings indicate that vascular function during rhythmic handgrip exercise is preserved in Hispanic men and women, compared to their white counterparts. Kinesiology and Health Education UT Austin Start-Up Account 19-2635-91 This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2023 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Acculturation and asthma in Asian American adults

Limited evidence suggests that the prevalence of asthma is lower in non-Hispanic Asian American (heretofore referred to as Asian American) adults than in non-Hispanic White or Hispanic American adults. However, this finding may be due to ethnic differences in diagnostic patterns, because Asian American individuals have more frequent visits to the emergency department and urgent care visits for asthma than non-Hispanic White individuals.1,2

The relationship between postsecondary education and adult health behaviors

Nearly 80% of American adults between the ages of 33-44 have at least some postsecondary education, which ranges from vocational training to a doctorate or professional degree. However, in education-health studies, postsecondary credentials are often grouped into a limited number of categories. This is an important omission as it obscures differentiations between the various types of postsecondary credentials. This study provides the first comprehensive analysis of disparities in health behaviors across detailed levels of postsecondary education. Data comes from Wave 5 of the 2018 National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health). A covariance-weighting technique is used to produce behavioral index scores that identify the full spectrum of health behaviors influenced by postsecondary educational attainment. Estimates are initially produced in aggregate for the total sample population, with interaction models subsequently being used to test differences across gender and race/ethnicity population subgroups. The aggregate results indicate that adults with at least a bachelor's degree exhibit healthier lifestyles; however, no difference is observed among adults with lower-level postsecondary credentials, compared to high school graduates. Women experience steeper gradients at higher levels of postsecondary education, compared to men. Both White and Hispanic American adults exhibit comparable health lifestyles across levels of postsecondary education; however, Black Americans were found to experience no returns except at the doctorate or professional degree level. These findings have important implications particularly as adults in their thirties and forties continue to exhibit troubling health and mortality trends.

More than Words: A Study of Ethnic Identity, Reading Self-Efficacy, and Reading Practices of Hispanic American and African American Adults

Reading is a basic skill that is needed for academic success and employment opportunity. Aliteracy, or the lack of a reading habit, and lower motivation to read, are problems at the university level, especially among ethnically diverse adults. Reading self-efficacy is associated with reading comprehension, word reading, foreign language learning and the use of reading strategies. Given that ethnic identity has been linked to well-being and an improved sense of competence among minoritized adults, the present study sought to investigate the connection between reading self-efficacy and ethnic identity as well as the reading practices of African American and Hispanic American adults. Results revealed that ethnic identity, ethnicity, and home language explained a statistically significant amount of variance in reading self-efficacy. Similarities and differences in reading choices based on gender were also investigated.

Understanding aggression and microaggressions by and against people of colour

AbstractEfforts to understand racial microaggressions have focused on the impact on targets, but few studies have examined the motivations and characteristics of offenders, and none has examined microaggressions committed by members of racialized groups. The purpose of this study is to determine if racial microaggressions should be conceptualized as a form of aggression when committed by racialized individuals by examining the relationship between propensity to commit microaggressions and aggressive tendencies to help inform interventions. This nationwide survey recruited 356 Asian, Black and Hispanic American adults. Participants completed measures of likelihood of committing anti-Black microaggressions, aggression, negative affect, and ethnic identity. There was a significant negative correlation between ratings by diversity experts of microaggressive interactions being racist and participants’ likelihood of engaging in those same interactions. For each ethnoracial group, likelihood of committing anti-Black microaggressions was significantly positively correlated with all measures of aggression examined. The correlation between microaggressions and aggression was strongest for non-White Hispanic participants and weakest among Asian participants. A linear regression showed that aggression uniquely predicted microaggression likelihood, after controlling for respective co-variates within groups. Among non-White Hispanic participants, there was a significant positive correlation between negative affect and propensity to commit microaggressions, but this association disappeared in the regression analysis after accounting for aggression. A positive ethnic identity was not correlated with microaggression likelihood among Black participants. Findings indicate that microaggressions represent aggression on the part of offenders and constitute a form of behaviour that is generally socially unacceptable. Implications and cognitive behavioural treatment approaches are discussed.Key learning aims(1)People of colour generally recognize that racial microaggressions are unacceptable.(2)People of colour may commit microaggressions against other people of colour.(3)Anti-Black microaggressions are correlated to aggression in perpetrators.(4)Microaggressions are not solely attributable to negative affect or low ethnic identity.(5)Therapists should address microaggressions, even when committed by people of colour.

Agreement between laboratory methods and the 4-compartment model in assessing fat mass in obese older Hispanic-American adults

Densitometry (Siri's and Brožek's equations), hydrometry (by the deuterium dilution technique), and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) are three methods for estimating body composition. However, because they are all based on certain assumptions, they may not be applicable to aged and obese subjects due to changes in their body composition. Hence, the validity of these "laboratory methods" could be affected in obese older people. The main aim was to assess the agreement between densitometry, hydrometry, and DXA with the 4-compartment (4C) model to estimate fat mass (FM) in obese older Hispanic-American adults. As secondary goals, we explored whether the bias in densitometry and hydrometry results could be improved by modifying the assumptions regarding fat-free mass (FFM) density and hydration factor (HF) values, respectively. In the case of DXA, we explored the factors that contribute to bias. This is a cross-sectional study based on a sample of 171 obese subjects aged ≥60 years from 3 regions of northern Mexico. Body composition was assessed by the 4C model as the reference method and by all three laboratory methods. Agreement of the latter with the 4C model was probed by Bland and Altman analysis, a paired sample t-test, and simple linear regression analyses. In addition, the mean FFM density estimated in this sample, and HF values (published previously) of 0.737 and 0.753 for obese older Hispanic-American men and women, respectively, were considered as ethnic- and gender-specific values. These values were used to modify the densitometric and hydrometric equations in order to improve their bias. Finally, we tested whether the hydration status and indirect markers of adiposity are contributing factors to the bias of DXA using multiple linear regression analysis. Siri's equation overestimated FM by 0.57kg (p<0.01), while Brožek's equation, hydrometry, and DXA underestimated it by 1.24kg, 0.89kg, and 0.79kg (p<0.01), respectively, compared to the 4C model. The bias in the densitometry and hydrometry results was eliminated by substituting the ethnic- and gender-specific values into the equations. Finally, we found that hip circumference contributes to the bias in DXA. The densitometry, hydrometry, and DXA methods are not interchangeable with the 4C model for assessing fat mass in obese, older Hispanic-American adults. The lack of agreement could indicate that the assumptions of each method do not apply to this population.

Psychometric evaluation of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control scales in English- and Spanish-speaking Hispanic Americans.

The English and Spanish versions of the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control scales have not been psychometrically evaluated for use with Hispanic Americans. Hispanic American adults (N = 436) completed the English (n = 210) or Spanish (n = 226) Multidimensional Health Locus of Control scales. A multiple-group confirmatory factor analysis did not support equivalent four-factor structures for Spanish- and English-speaking Hispanic Americans. Follow-up exploratory factor analyses of the 24 items supported an 18-item, four-factor structure for English-speaking Hispanic Americans and a 22-item, three-factor structure for Spanish-speaking Hispanic Americans. These results suggest caution when using the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control scales with Hispanic Americans.

High Hydration Factor in Older Hispanic-American Adults: Possible Implications for Accurate Body Composition Estimates.

Age- and obesity-related body composition changes could influence the hydration factor (HF) and, as a result, body composition estimates derived from hydrometry. The aim of the present study was to compare the HF in older Hispanic-American adults to some published values. This cross-sectional study included a sample of 412 subjects, men and women, aged ≥60 years from northern Mexico. HF values were calculated based on the ratio of total body water-using the deuterium dilution technique-to fat-free mass, derived from the four-compartment model. The mean HF value for the total sample (0.748 ± 0.034) was statistically (p ≤ 0.01) higher than the traditionally assumed value of 0.732 derived from chemical analysis, the “grand mean’’ value of 0.725 derived from in vivo methods, and the 0.734 value calculated for older French adults via the three-compartment model. The HF of the older women did not differ across the fat mass index categories, but in men the obese group was lower than the normal and excess fat groups. The hydration factor calculated for the total sample of older Hispanic-American people is higher than the HF values reported in the literature. Therefore, the indiscriminate use of these assumed values could produce inaccurate body composition estimates in older Hispanic-American people.

Mindfulness Practices Moderate the Association Between Intergroup Anxiety and Outgroup Attitudes

In prior literature, intergroup contact has been associated with better attitudes toward outgroups, but intergroup anxiety mediates this relationship. Higher anxiety is associated with less-favorable outgroup attitudes. We hypothesized that this meditational association would be moderated by frequency of mindfulness and contemplative practices. Study 1 surveyed Christian, Hindu, and Muslim college students in India regarding their frequency of practices, intergroup contact, intergroup anxiety, and attitudes (i.e., favorability and trait ratings) about primary and secondary outgroups. Study 2 measured these same variables with White/European, African, and Hispanic American adults. The results showed that participants that reported higher intergroup anxiety reported more negative outgroup attitudes. This relationship, however, was moderated by mindfulness-type practices: among participants who frequently engaged in these practices, this association was reduced compared with those who reported little or no mindfulness-type practices. The findings suggest that mindfulness and contemplative practices may help people regulate feelings of intergroup anxiety, which may in turn reduce the likelihood that intergroup anxiety exacerbates negative attitudes toward outgroups.

Suicide in Racial and Ethnic Minority Adults: A Review of the Last Decade

There has been an increase in literature that addresses risks associated with suicide vulnerability and death for American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian American, Black American, and Hispanic American adults. However, much more definitive work is needed. In comparison to previous decades, research in the area of ethnic minority suicide may have lost some momentum for certain racial/ethnic groups. As the U.S. population becomes increasingly diverse, the need for advanced research efforts regarding the full spectrum of suicide behavior grows increasingly urgent. Objective: To provide a summary of putative risk factors and plausible protective factors highlighting both unique and common factors for American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian American, Black American, and Hispanic American adults. The dearth of literature is also addressed by the proposition of emergent needs in the study of ethnic minority suicide. Further, we will examine the ways in which the last decade of research has expanded suicide science as well as areas that have been understudied. Conclusions: A review of empirical studies and conceptual reports published in the last decade revealed common trends associated with suicide across ethnic groups, including sociodemographic variables, psychiatric risks, cultural factors, and factors related to interpersonal relations. Ethnic minority groups also shared notable protective factors, such as religious and spiritual beliefs, and familial ties. Suggested directions for future research include the examination of individual subgroups within ethnic communities as well as the exploration of understudied correlates that show promising evidence as influential to suicidal behavior. Additionally, factors that lead to suicide attempts for American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian American, Black American, and Hispanic American adults remain relatively unexamined.

Interactions Between Alcohol Metabolism Genes and Religious Involvement in Association With Maximum Drinks and Alcohol Dependence Symptoms.

Variations in the genes encoding alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) enzymes are associated with both alcohol consumption and dependence in multiple populations. Additionally, some environmental factors have been recognized as modifiers of these relationships. This study examined the modifying effect of religious involvement on relationships between ADH gene variants and alcohol consumption-related phenotypes. Subjects were African American, European American, and Hispanic American adults with lifetime exposure to alcohol (N = 7,716; 53% female) from the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism. Genetic markers included ADH1Brs1229984, ADH1B-rs2066702, ADH1C-rs698, ADH4-rs1042364, and ADH4-rs1800759. Phenotypes were maximum drinks consumed in a 24-hour period and total number of alcohol dependence symptoms according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. Religious involvement was defined by self-reported religious services attendance. Both religious involvement and ADH1B-rs1229984 were negatively associated with the number of maximum drinks consumed and the number of lifetime alcohol dependence symptoms endorsed. The interactions of religious involvement with ADH1B-rs2066702, ADH1C-rs698, and ADH4-rs1042364 were significantly associated with maximum drinks and alcohol dependence symptoms. Risk variants had weaker associations with maximum drinks and alcohol dependence symptoms as a function of increasing religious involvement. This study provided initial evidence of a modifying effect for religious involvement on relationships between ADH variants and maximum drinks and alcohol dependence symptoms.

Sociodemographic Factors, Acculturation, and Nutrition Management among Hispanic American Adults with Self-reported Diabetes.

This study aimed to examine whether sociodemographic factors and acculturation affect achievement of selected American Diabetes Association (ADA) nutrition therapy recommendations among Hispanics with diabetes. Cross-sectional data for Hispanics with diabetes in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2010 were used. Achievements of the ADA recommendation for five nutrition components were examined (i.e., daily intake of saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, and fiber, and daily servings of alcohol). Acculturation measurement derived from language use, country of birth, and length of residence in the U.S. Logistic regressions were performed. Only 49% of Hispanics with diabetes met three or more recommended criteria. Male gender and younger age (≤45) predicted poor recommendation adherence. More acculturated individuals had around 50% lower odds to achieve saturated fat [OR 0.5, CI 0.2-0.7], fiber [OR 0.5, CI 0.2-0.9], sodium [OR 0.5, CI 0.3-0.9] and cholesterol intake [OR 0.5, CI 0.3-0.8] recommendations than their less acculturated counterparts.

Psychometric Evaluation of the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 in Hispanic Americans.

The present study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4), a screener of psychological distress, in English- and Spanish-speaking Hispanic Americans. Hispanic American adults (N = 436) completed the PHQ-4, which yields two subscales (anxiety and depression) that can be summed to create a total score. Multiple-group confirmatory factor analysis was used to evaluate structural validity. The two-factor structure was the best fit to the data for both English- and Spanish-speaking Hispanic Americans and items loaded equivalently across groups, demonstrating measurement invariance. Internal consistency reliability was good as measured by coefficient alpha. Construct validity was evidenced by significant expected relationships with perceived stress. These findings provide support for the reliability and validity of the PHQ-4 as a brief measure of psychological distress for English- or Spanish-speaking Hispanic Americans.

Analysis of Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System Data to Assess the Health of Hispanics With Diabetes in US-Mexico Border Communities

The purpose of this study is to describe and compare personal characteristics, health care access and utilization, and self-management behaviors of Hispanic American adults diagnosed with diabetes who reside in 3 US-Mexico border counties in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. This study also examines the status of this population in attaining Healthy People (HP) 2020 diabetes target goals. Data were extracted from the 2005-2009 Selected Metropolitan/Micropolitan Area Risk Trends (SMART): Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to analyze behavioral and health system factors associated with diabetes management among Hispanic American adults who reside in the border counties (N = 600). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and compared using chi-square and one-way analysis of variance. There were significant differences in health care access and utilization and in 1 self-management behavior (daily feet checks) across the counties. The majority of participants (83.4%) had a care provider, however the HP 2020 diabetes target goals for A1C monitoring or foot exams conducted by a care provider were not met. Participants in all counties met the target goal for dilated eye exams. Improvement of diabetes management among this population should focus on border health system barriers to attaining HP 2020 diabetes target goals.

SOCIAL AND INSTITUTIONAL PREDICTORS OF ENTREPRENEURIAL CAREER INTENTION: EVIDENCE FROM HISPANIC ADULTS IN THE U.S.

While there is a burgeoning literature on entrepreneurial career intentions, much scholarly work is yet to be done in understanding the dynamic factors that influence entrepreneurial venture formation among minority groups. In this study, I specifically examined the social (i.e. perceived social status, perceived social support) and institutional (perceived institutional support) predictors of entrepreneurial career intentions among 186 young Hispanic American Adults in the southern part of U.S. After controlling for personality, work experience and educational attainment, the results provide strong empirical support for the social, not institutional, predictors of entrepreneurial career intentions. Overall, the findings of this study contribute to the on-going research on minority entrepreneurship in general and Hispanic entrepreneurship in particular by identifying important social predictors of entrepreneurial career intentions. Practical implications of the study are also discussed.

Comparison of C-Reactive Protein Levels in Less Versus More Acculturated Hispanic Adults in the United States (from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999–2008)

Greater acculturation has been linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease in Hispanics. C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation, is known to be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality. Whether acculturation is associated with CRP levels in Hispanics has not been established. We examined the association between acculturation and CRP in 11,858 Hispanic-American adults participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2008. Acculturation was measured by the Short Acculturation Scale (SAS), a validated language-based scale. We used multivariate linear regression to examine the independent association between acculturation and CRP after adjusting for clinical and demographic covariates and appropriate sampling weights. We back-transformed the beta coefficients into relative differences (RDs). Higher acculturation was independently associated with higher CRP levels in Hispanics. Compared to those less acculturated, the RD in CRP levels was 52% higher (p = 0.003) for more acculturated Hispanics. Other significant predictors of CRP in Hispanics included a higher body mass index (RD 139% higher per 5 kg/m(2)), female gender (RD 36% higher), education level (RD 19% higher levels for at least a high school education, p <0.001), being insured (RD 27% higher CRP level, p = 0.006), having hypertension (RD 40% higher CRP levels, p <0.001), and statin use (RD 22% lower CRP levels, p = 0.002). In conclusion, higher acculturation was associated with increased CRP levels in Hispanics in a nationally representative population survey. Inflammation may play an important role in explaining the association between acculturation and increased cardiovascular risk.

Valsalva ratios and insulin sensitivity

The chronic metabolic disorders, obesity, diabetes, hypertension and heart disease are approaching epidemic proportions in the U.S. These disorders are more frequent, occur earlier and are often more severe in ethnic minorities. This ongoing study is designed to evaluate differences in the hormonal and cardiovascular status of African, Caucasian and Hispanic American adults in various states of health and disease. The study hopes to develop a database of less‐invasive methodologies to identify people most at‐risk for diabetes and heart disease early, before the diseases develop. The study also plans to evaluate whether cellular and humoral markers differ among ethnic groups. Estimated insulin sensitivity among the study population was as predicted for the general population. Relationships between blood glucose and insulin delineated healthy normals, diabetics and a transitional group of mildly hyperglycemic and euglycemic subjects with estimated insulin sensitivities very similar to that of diabetics. In approximately half of the subjects, glucagon declined sharply as expected during glycemic challenge. However, glucagon remained unchanged or was elevated in the remaining subjects. Autonomic reflex responses based on standardized valsalva ratios indicated approximately half of the subjects were below historical norms. The valsalva ratios correlated tightly with insulin sensitivity.

Body shape in American and British adults: between-country and inter-ethnic comparisons

Recent studies indicate differences between British and American white adults, and between income and ethnic groups within the United States, in the population distribution of lifestyle diseases. Differential prevalence of obesity has been suggested as a contributing factor; however, the conventional approach to categorizing obesity, body mass index, is confounded by ethnic variability in physique. To compare indices of shape between white British and American adults, and between white, African and Hispanic American adults. Analysis of two large National Sizing Surveys, using identical study design and three-dimensional (3D) body-scanning instrumentation, on adults aged 17+ years from the UK (3907M and 4710F white), and from the USA (1744M and 3329F white, 709M and 1106F African and 639M and 839F Hispanic). Weight, height, body circumferences. In the United States, socio-economic status was associated with increasing height and decreasing waist girth in white and Hispanic, but not African Americans. Compared to white British, white Americans had larger weight and girths, especially waist girth in men. Relative to white Americans, African Americans had smaller relative waist girth, but larger thigh girth, whereas Hispanic Americans had larger relative waist girth. Body shape of white American adults differs from that of their UK counterparts. Within Americans, ethnic differences in body shape closely track reported differences in prevalence of the metabolic syndrome, implicating variability in central abdominal fat as a key contributing factor. 3D photonic scanning offers a novel approach for categorizing risk of the metabolic syndrome and monitoring treatment success.

Health-Promoting Lifestyle and Diabetes Knowledge in Hispanic American Adults

This study examined the relationships among demographics, a health-promoting lifestyle, and diabetes knowledge. A descriptive study was conducted in a convenience sample of 40 Hispanic American adults. Participants were recruited from Hispanic churches in the southeastern United States. The Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II and the Diabetes Knowledge Questionnaire were used to assess participants’ health-promoting lifestyle and diabetes knowledge. Participants had low levels of a health-promoting lifestyle and a strong deficiency in diabetes knowledge. Income was found to be associated with physical activity lifestyle. Age and education were significantly related to diabetes knowledge. This study suggested that community health nurses should assess and educate Hispanic American adults for a health-promoting lifestyle and diabetes knowledge and use appropriate methods of teaching with low-literacy and audiovisual materials to provide culturally specific care to this vulnerable group.