Women Of Mexican Descent Research Articles

Traditional Mexican dietary pattern and cancer risk among women of Mexican descent

PurposeTo examine the association of a traditional Mexican diet score with risk of total, breast, and colorectal cancer among women of Mexican ethnic descent in the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI).MethodsParticipants were WHI enrollees who self-identified as being of Mexican descent. Data from food frequency questionnaires self-administered at study baseline were used to calculate the MexD score, with higher scores indicating greater adherence to an a priori-defined traditional Mexican diet (high in dietary fiber, vegetables, and legumes). Incident cancers were self-reported by participants from 1993 to 2020 and adjudicated by trained physicians. We used multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).ResultsAmong 2,343 Mexican descent women (median baseline age: 59 years), a total of 270 cancers (88 breast, 37 colorectal) occurred during a mean follow-up of 14.4 years. The highest tertile of MexD score was associated with a lower risk of all-cancer incidence (HR: 0.67; 95% CI 0.49–0.91; p-trend: 0.01) and colorectal cancer (HR: 0.38; 95% CI 0.14–0.998; p-trend < 0.05), with each unit increase in the MexD score associated with a 6% lower risk of all-cancer incidence (HR: 0.94; 95% CI 0.88–0.99). There was no statistically significant association with risk of breast cancer.ConclusionConsumption of a traditional Mexican diet was associated with a significantly lower risk of all-cancer incidence and colorectal cancer. Confirmation of these findings in future studies is important, given the prevalence of colorectal cancer and a growing U.S. population of women of Mexican descent.

Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a combination of health disorders that mainly result from overweight and obesity. It increases the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. (MetS) closely related to the existence weight gain or Obesity and laziness. It increases the serum levels of TNF-α and change the levels of a number of other parameters (e.g., adiponectin, resistin, and PAI-1). TNF-α dose not only appear to cause the production of inflammatory cytokines. It can trigger cell signaling by interacting with TNF-α receptors that can lead to insulin resistance. Usually, the digestive system molders the foods you eat and converts them to glucose. Insulin is an anabolic hormone produced by the pancreas that aids glucose get in your cells. To be utilize, as an energy source .Cells do not respond to insulin normally, and sugar cannot easily enter cells in people with insulin resistance. As outcome, blood glucose rises, until the body produces more insulin in an attempt to lower blood sugar. The following factors increase the chance of developing MetS as age increases the risk of developing MetS with age and ethnicity. In the United States, it appears that women of Mexican descent are more likely to develop MetS. Obesity carrying an extra amount of weight, especially in the abdomen, increases the risk of MetS. From this review, it stated that metabolic syndrome stands for the constellation of cardiovascular risk factors that raise the risk of cardiovascular arteriosclerosis and type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a major global public health issue with more than 300 million people projected in 2025.

Sociocultural stressors across the perinatal period and risk for postpartum depressive symptoms in women of Mexican descent.

In the United States, women of Mexican descent are affected by postpartum depression at disproportionate rates, often two to three times higher than the general population. Sociocultural stressors may contribute to this disparity. Traditionally, these stressors are measured at a single time point, and it is unknown if sociocultural stressors change from pregnancy to the postnatal period and if they are related to postpartum depressive symptoms. Pregnant women of Mexican descent (N = 159) were assessed for acculturation (Mexican and Anglo orientation), perceived discrimination, acculturative stress, perceived stress, and depressive symptoms during the first trimester and postpartum period. Women reported increases in Mexican orientation, t(126) = -3.503, p = .01, and decreases in acculturative stress, t(159) = -3.503, p < .001, and perceived stress, t(159) = 6.332, p < .001, from pregnancy to postpartum. Only increases in Mexican orientation were associated with less postpartum depressive symptoms (R² = 0.050, B = -2.210, SE = 0.996, t = -2.120, p = .028), even when controlling for covariates. In addition, postnatal measurements of elevated acculturative stress and less Mexican orientation (R² = 0.127, B = 0.133, SE = 0.036, t = 3.721, p < .001; B = -2.194, SE = 0.769, t = -2.853, p < .001, respectively) were associated with more postpartum depressive symptoms; however, only Mexican orientation remained significant after covariates. Sociocultural stressors change across the perinatal period and contribute to postpartum depressive symptoms. Findings implicate a need for consideration of sociocultural stressors in postpartum depression prevention. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema in Hispanic Women: A Phenomenological Study.

Introduction: Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL), a long-term side effect of treatment, can occur at any point in time. With the extensive physical and psychological effects of BCRL, few studies have focused on the lived experience. The purpose of this study was to examine the lived experience of Hispanic women dealing with BCRL, particularly women of Mexican descent or origin. Method: Using interpretive phenomenology, 13 Hispanic women with BCRL, 42 to 80 years, were individually interviewed. Data analysis was conducted using interpretive reading of field notes, journal entries, and transcribed interviews. Results: Three central themes emerged from the findings, "sense of loss," "resignation to the new self," and "not knowing." Further subthemes highlight the physical, psychological, and spiritual aspects of living with BCRL. Discussion: Cultural awareness of the impact BCRL has on activities of daily living of Hispanic women should be part of a holistic plan of nursing care when caring for this population.

Later-Life Trajectories of Cognitive Functioning among Married and Widowed Older Men and Women of Mexican Origin.

Research on marital status-gender differences in later-life trajectories of cognitive functioning is scarce. Drawing on seven waves of data from the Hispanic Established Population for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly, this research uses growth curve models to examine later-life dynamics of cognitive functioning among married and widowed older men and women of Mexican descent (aged 65+; N = 3329). The findings demonstrate that the widowed, regardless of gender, had lower initial levels of cognition but a less steep cognitive decline across waves, compared to married men. Age and socioeconomic resources accounted for these marital status differences in levels and rates of change in cognitive functioning completely among widowed men and partially among widowed women. Moreover, net of all the factors, married women had a slower cognitive decline than married men. This study also shows that health and social integration might shape cognitive functioning among older adults of Mexican descent.

Later-life trajectories of cognitive functioning among immigrants of Mexican origin: implications of age at immigration and social resources

ABSTRACT Objective. This study examines age-at-immigration disparities in later-life trajectories of cognitive functioning among immigrant men and women of Mexican descent. This study also considers the role of socioeconomic resources, family status, and church attendance in these disparities. Methods. This study draws on eight waves of the Hispanic Established Populations for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly and employs growth curve models. This study distinguished between immigrants who moved from Mexico to the U.S. in early life (before age 19), midlife (between ages 20 and 49; reference category), and late life (beyond age 50). The analyses were conducted separately for men and women. The final analytic sample consisted of 2,030 repeated observations from 639 men and 2,883 observations from 884 women. Results. Compared to midlife immigration, late-life immigration was associated with lower cognitive functioning at baseline among both men and women, whereas early- as well as late-life immigration was related to faster cognitive decline over time only among men. Adjusting for socioeconomic resources reduced cognitive disadvantages among late-life immigrants, regardless of gender. Family status also partially accounted for poorer cognitive functioning among late-life immigrant women. Conclusion. This study demonstrates that later-life cognitive functioning among immigrant men and women of Mexican descent might be contingent on age at immigration. By highlighting the importance of individuals’ social resources for overall cognitive functioning and for age-at-immigration disparities, this study also suggests that social programs and interventions to improve cognitive health in this population group should address later-life disadvantages related to low educational attainment, being unmarried, and less frequent religious participation.

Review: Partner Support and Physical Activity among Mexican American Women.

Global recommendations on physical activity for noncommunicable disease prevention can be promoted using partner support strategies among women of Mexican descent and other ethnicities. This systematic review utilized a multifaceted ecological approach by focusing comprehensively on community, individual, and social factors influencing physical activity. PubMed, SAGE Publications, EBSCO, ResearchGate, the Cochrane Library and Google Scholar search engines were used to find research on physical activity, with inclusion criteria of Mexican American women, aged ≥ 18 years, comprising at least 50% of study population sizes. An initial search of 232 articles with subsequent searches from reference lists led to selection of a mixture of qualitative (3), mixed methods (3), and intervention (1) studies reporting partner support for physical activity as perceived by women. Primarily, studies have conceptualized physical activity as leisure time activities. Few studies have considered multiple ecological factors in examining influences of physical activity among women. Importantly, how women perceive support for physical activity received from partners has been shown to influence their levels of activity. Conceptualization of physical activity restricted only to leisure time eliminates other domains that a broader definition of the term encompasses. Future studies are needed to investigate partner support influences on the overall physical activity of Mexican American women within a larger ecological context. Careful attention to partner support for physical activity engagement can help ameliorate and prevent chronic diseases both nationally and around the world.

Acculturation, Cultural Values, and Breastfeeding in Overweight or Obese, Low-Income, Hispanic Women at 1 Month Postpartum

Most Hispanic infants are fed formula during the first 6 weeks, and although 80% of Hispanic women initiate breastfeeding, rates of exclusive breastfeeding are much lower. Research aim: The purpose was to examine the influence of acculturation and cultural values on the breastfeeding practices of pregnant women of Mexican descent participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children who were enrolled in a prospective randomized clinical trial that aimed to reduce child obesity. The data were abstracted from a larger randomized clinical trial focused on prevention of child obesity. The sample consisted of 150 women of Mexican origin who were enrolled at the time of these analyses from the randomized clinical trial and had a prepregnancy body mass index of ≥ 25 and spoke English and/or Spanish. All breastfeeding data for this report came from data collection at 1 month postpartum. A higher score on the Anglo orientation scale of the Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican Americans was associated with less breastfeeding at 1 month postpartum and less exclusive breastfeeding. Acculturation plays a role in breastfeeding practice. Exploring acculturation associated with breastfeeding can guide us to design culturally relevant interventions to promote breastfeeding exclusivity among immigrant mothers.

Age Trajectories of Depressive Symptoms by Age at Immigration among Older Men and Women of Mexican Descent: The Role of Social Resources

Drawing on eight waves of data from the Hispanic Established Population for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly, this study uses growth curve models to provide a better understanding of the impact of age at immigration and gender on age trajectories of depressive symptoms among older adults of Mexican descent (aged 65+). The findings reveal that (1) regardless of immigrant status and age at immigration, men have similar age trajectories of depressive symptoms; (2) compared with U.S.-born women, late-life (beyond age 50) immigrant women report more depressive symptoms at age 65, whereas midlife (between ages 20 and 49) immigrant women experience steeper increases in these symptoms with age; (3) controlling for socioeconomic status leads to advantages in mental health at age 65, but steeper age-related increases in depressive symptoms among midlife (between ages 20 and 49) immigrant men and fewer depressive symptoms among late-life (beyond age 50) immigrant women.

Genetic ancestry in relation to the metabolic response to a US versus traditional Mexican diet: a randomized crossover feeding trial among women of Mexican descent.

BackgroundCertain populations with a large proportion of Indigenous American (IA) genetic ancestry may be evolutionarily adapted to traditional diets high in legumes and complex carbohydrates, and may have a detrimental metabolic response to U.S. diets high in refined carbohydrates and added sugars. We tested whether IA ancestry modified the metabolic response to a U.S. versus traditional Mexican diet in a controlled dietary intervention.MethodsFirst and second generation Mexican immigrant women (n=53) completed a randomized crossover feeding trial testing the effects of a U.S. versus traditional Mexican diet. The metabolic response to the diets was measured by fasting serum concentrations of glucose, insulin, IGF-1, IGFBP-3, adiponectin, CRP, IL-6, and computed HOMAIR. Blood collected at baseline was used for genotyping and estimation of African, European, and IA ancestries with the use of 214 Ancestry Informative Markers.ResultsThe genetic ancestral background was 56% IA, 38% European, and 6% African. Women in the highest IA ancestry tertile (>62%) were shorter in height, less educated and less acculturated to the U.S. lifestyle, and tended to have higher waist-to-hip ratio compared to women in the middle and lowest IA ancestry tertiles, respectively. Compared to the U.S. diet, the traditional Mexican diet tended to reduce glucose, insulin, IGF-1, IGFBP-3, and HOMAIR among women in the middle IA ancestry group (IA ancestry ≤45–62%); while having no effect on biomarkers related to inflammation.ConclusionsWe observed modest interactions between IA ancestry and the metabolic response to a U.S. versus traditional Mexican diet among Mexican immigrant women.

Metabolic Responses to a Traditional Mexican versus commonly consumed U.S. Diet among Women of Mexican Descent: A Randomized Crossover Feeding Trial

BackgroundMexican immigrants are disproportionally affected by diet‐related risk of metabolic dysfunction. Whether adhering to a traditional Mexican diet or adopting a U.S. diet contributes to metabolic changes associated with future risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and other chronic diseases has not been investigated.ObjectiveTo test in a randomized crossover feeding trial the metabolic responses to a Mexican versus a commonly consumed U.S. diet.DesignFirst and second generation, healthy women of Mexican descent (n=53) were randomized in a crossover design to consume a Mexican or U.S. diet for 24 days each, separated by a 28‐day washout period. Diets were eucaloric and similar in macronutrient composition. The metabolic responses to diets were assessed by measuring fasting serum concentrations of glucose, insulin, IGF‐1, IGFBP‐3, adiponectin, CRP and IL‐6 as well as the homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMAIR) at the beginning and end of each period. Linear mixed models tested the intervention effect on the biomarkers, while adjusting for diet sequence, feeding period, baseline and washout biomarker concentrations, age, acculturation and BMI.ResultsCompared to the U.S. diet, the Mexican diet reduced insulin by 14% [geometric means (95% CI), 9.3 (8.3, 10.3) vs. 8.0 (7.2, 8.9) μU/mL; P = 0.02], HOMAIR by 15% [2.0 (1.8, 2.3) vs. 1.7 (1.6, 2.0); P = 0.02], and IGFBP‐3 by 6% (mean ± SEM, 2,420 ± 29 vs. 2,292 ± 29 ng/mL; P &lt; 0.01), and tended to reduce circulating concentrations of IGF‐1 by 4% (149 ± 2.6 vs. 144 ± 2.5 ng/mL; P = 0.06). There was no significant intervention effect on serum concentrations of glucose, adiponectin, CRP or IL‐6 in the U.S. versus Mexican diet.ConclusionsCompared to the U.S. diet, the traditional Mexican diet modestly improved insulin sensitivity under conditions of weight stability, while having no impact on biomarkers of inflammation among healthy women of Mexican descent.Support or Funding InformationThis work was supported by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) grant P50 CA148143 and the Cancer Center Support Grant P30CA 015704. M. Santiago‐Torres is currently supported by grant R25 CA094880 from the NCI.The trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (identifier: NCT01369173)

Abstract A68: Does genetic ancestry influence the metabolic response to a traditional Mexican versus U.S. diet? A randomized crossover feeding trial among first and second generation women of Mexican descent

Abstract Background: Greater acculturation to the U.S. dietary habits has been suggested to contribute to the high rates of obesity, insulin resistance, and therefore, potential risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and breast cancer. Mexican immigrants may be evolutionary adapted to traditional diets high in legumes and complex carbohydrates. When consuming an inexpensive, readily available U.S. diet high in refined carbohydrates and added sugars they may experience a detrimental metabolic and/or inflammatory response, placing them at a disproportionately higher risk of certain cancers. To better understand these biological mechanisms that may underlie immigrant-related health disparities, we tested whether genetic ancestry modified the metabolic response to a traditional Mexican versus U.S. diet in a controlled feeding trial. Methods: First and second generation, female, Mexican immigrants (n=53) completed a randomized, crossover feeding trial testing the response to a Mexican versus U.S. diet for 24 days each, separated by a 28-day washout period. The trial diets were designed to provide energy content for weight maintenance and were similar in macronutrient composition. Participants were instructed to consume only study provided foods. The traditional Mexican diet was high in corn tortillas, beans, Mexican soups, fruits, vegetables, animal fats, full-fat milk, and Mexican cheeses; in contrast, the U.S. diet was high in refined carbohydrates, vegetable oils, nonfat or low-fat milk, processed foods, processed meats and sugar-sweetened beverages. The metabolic response to the diets was measured by fasting serum concentrations of glucose, insulin, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, IGF binding protein (IGFBP)-3, adiponectin, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and the calculated homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) at the beginning and end of each feeding period. DNA was extracted from baseline blood for genotyping and estimation of each participant's proportion of genetic ancestry from four populations – Indigenous American (IA), European, African, and Asian – with the use of 218 Informative Ancestry Markers. Linear mixed models were adjusted for diet sequence, feeding period, baseline and washout biomarker concentrations, age, body weight, and acculturation. Results: The overall genetic ancestral background of the study sample was 53% IA and 36% European ancestry. In general, genetic ancestry did not modify the metabolic responses to the Mexican versus U.S. diet. However, genetic ancestry was associated with some baseline participant's characteristics and measures. Greater IA ancestry trended toward a positive association with waist-to-hip ratio (P=0.08) and was inversely associated with both education and acculturation (P&amp;lt;0.05). Further, greater IA ancestry was positively associated with baseline fasting serum concentrations of glucose, CRP, IL-6, and calculated HOMA-IR (P&amp;lt;0.05), and was inversely associated with circulating concentrations of IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 (P&amp;lt;0.05). Conclusions: Genetic ancestry suggested differences in baseline measures of several biomarkers that have been identified as cancer susceptibility biomarkers. Although, we found a significant metabolic response to the traditional Mexican versus U.S. diet, overall, we did not observe correlations between genetic ancestry and this response. Nonetheless, the results from the study may inform our understanding of variation in cancer susceptibility biomarkers in vulnerable populations. Additional research is needed to further investigate whether genetic ancestry modifies the associations of other lifestyle exposures, such as physical activity or smoking, with cancer susceptibility biomarkers in Mexican immigrants and other minority groups. Citation Format: Margarita Santiago-Torres, Jean De Dieu Tapsoba, Mario Kratz, Johanna W. Lampe, Kara L. Breymeyer, Lisa Levy, Xiaoling Song, Adriana Villaseñor, Ching-Yun Wang, Christopher Carlson, Marian L. Neuhouser. Does genetic ancestry influence the metabolic response to a traditional Mexican versus U.S. diet? A randomized crossover feeding trial among first and second generation women of Mexican descent. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eighth AACR Conference on The Science of Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; Nov 13-16, 2015; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2016;25(3 Suppl):Abstract nr A68.

Development and Use of a Traditional Mexican Diet Score in Relation to Systemic Inflammation and Insulin Resistance among Women of Mexican Descent1–3

Background: Women of Mexican descent are disproportionally affected by obesity, systemic inflammation, and insulin resistance (IR). Available approaches used to give scores to dietary patterns relative to dietary guidelines may not effectively capture traditional diets of Mexicans, who comprise the largest immigrant group in the United States.Objectives: We characterized an a priori traditional Mexican diet (MexD) score high in corn tortillas, beans, soups, Mexican mixed dishes (e.g., tamales), fruits, vegetables, full-fat milk, and Mexican cheeses and low in refined grains and added sugars and evaluated the association of the MexD score with systemic inflammation and IR in 493 postmenopausal participants in the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) who are of Mexican ethnic descent.Methods: The MexD score was developed from the baseline (1993–1998) WHI food frequency questionnaire, which included Hispanic foods and was available in Spanish. Body mass index (BMI) was computed from baseline measured weight and height, and ethnicity was self-reported. Outcome variables were high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and triglyceride concentrations measured at follow-up (2012–2013). Multivariable linear and logistic regression models were used to test the associations of the MexD score with systemic inflammation and IR.Results: The mean ± SD MexD score was 5.8 ± 2.1 (12 maximum points) and was positively associated with intakes of carbohydrates, vegetable protein, and dietary fiber and inversely associated with intakes of added sugars and total fat (P < 0.01). Women with high compared with low MexD scores, consistent with a more-traditional Mexican diet, had 23% and 15% lower serum hsCRP (P < 0.05) and insulin concentrations, respectively (P < 0.05). Baseline BMI modified these associations such that lower MexD scores were associated with higher insulin and HOMA-IR in overweight/obese women (P-interaction <0.05).Conclusion: These findings suggest that greater adherence to a traditional Mexican diet could help reduce the future risk of systemic inflammation and IR in women of Mexican descent.

Abstract B06: Dietary intake in the relation between acculturation and obesity among healthy, Mexican-descent women

Abstract Background: Obesity increases risk for breast and other cancers. This is of concern among Hispanics who have higher rates of obesity when compared to non-Hispanic Whites. More versus less acculturated Hispanics often have diets high in simple sugars and low in fiber, which is proposed to contribute to adiposity. Therefore, we aimed to examine the associations between obesity, acculturation, and dietary intake among healthy, Mexican-descent women. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted among 1st and 2nd generation healthy Mexican-descent women (n=58) who were screened for participation in a controlled feeding study in Seattle, WA. Women were pre-menopausal, non-smoking, ages 18 to 45 years, with a body mass index (BMI) between 18.5 and 40.0 kg/m2. Additional exclusion criteria addressed a mix of medical and practical issues and included impaired glucose tolerance (fasting glucose ≥100mg/dL), current pregnancy or lactation, and heavy alcohol use, defined as ≥ 2 drinks/day. Analyses included demographics, acculturation measures, self-reported dietary intake (3-day food records) and measured anthropometrics. Dietary intake is reported as percentage of total energy. Comparisons across BMI categories were tested using general linear models for continuous dietary intake variables, while adjusting for age. Adjusted logistic regression models were used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) for overweight and obesity (BMI ≥25.0), as compared to normal weight (BMI &amp;lt;25.0) given dietary intake across acculturation measures. Results: Women in the study had lived in the US for 13.8 ± 6.4 years, 60% were born in Mexico, 64% self-identified as Mexican versus Mexican-American and 53% were overweight or obese. Overweight and obese women significantly (P &amp;lt;0.05) consumed less dietary fiber (17.1 vs 18.6 g/d) and vegetable protein (5.0 vs 5.6, as percentage of total energy) when compared to normal weight women. Among less acculturated women, a higher intake of dietary fiber (20.6 vs 17.1 g/d, 17% more) resulted in lower odds for being overweight or obese [OR=0.85 (0.73, 0.99)], while a higher intake of sucrose (54.3 vs. 36.6 g/d; 33% more), as percentage of total energy, resulted in higher odds for being overweight or obese among more acculturated women [OR=1.43 (1.07, 1.91)]. Conclusions: These results are consistent with the hypothesis that more acculturated women consume less dietary fiber and more simple sugars, which may contribute to overweight and obesity. Prevention efforts for obesity-related breast and other cancers should include dietary recommendations that encourage diets high in dietary fiber, while reducing the consumption of added sugars in this highly-at risk population. Citation Format: Margarita Santiago-Torres, Kara L. Breymeyer, Mario Kratz, Johanna W. Lampe, Lisa Levy, Marian L. Neuhouser. Dietary intake in the relation between acculturation and obesity among healthy, Mexican-descent women. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirteenth Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research; 2014 Sep 27-Oct 1; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Can Prev Res 2015;8(10 Suppl): Abstract nr B06.

Abstract B09: Acculturation, behavioral factors, and family history of breast cancer among Mexican and Mexican-American women

Abstract Introduction: Incidence rates for breast cancer are higher among Mexican-American (MA) women in the US than women living in Mexico. Studies have shown higher prevalence of breast cancer risk factors in higher vs. lower acculturated Hispanic/Latina women in the US. We compared the prevalence for behavioral risk factors and family history of breast cancer by level of acculturation and country of residence in women of Mexican descent. Methods: Data were collected from 1,201 recently diagnosed breast cancer patients living in Mexico (n=581) and MAs in the US (n=620). MA participants were categorized into three acculturation groups (Spanish dominant, bilingual and English dominant) according to responses to an 8-item language acculturation scale, while women living in Mexico were used as the reference group. Prevalence of behavioral risk factors and family history of breast cancer were compared among the acculturation groups adjusting for age at diagnosis and education level. Results: In the final adjusted models, bilingual and English-dominant MAs were significantly more likely to have a body mass index &amp;gt; 30 kg/m2, consume more than one alcoholic beverage a week, and report having a family history of breast cancer when compared to women living in Mexico. All three US acculturation groups were significantly more likely to have low total energy expenditure (&amp;lt;533 kcal/day) than women in Mexico. English-dominant women were significantly less likely to smoke cigarettes than the Mexican comparison group. Conclusions: Our findings on acculturation and distributions of behavioral risk factors and family history of breast cancer add to the growing body of evidence suggesting acculturation has both positive and negative impacts on health behavior in Hispanic/Latino populations living in the US. Interventions and public health policies may benefit from considering these relationships when targeting health programs and campaigns to Mexican-American and Mexican women. Citation Format: Jesse Nodora, Renee Cooper, Maria Elena Martinez, Gregory Talavera, Patricia Thompson, Ian Komenaka, Melissa Bondy, Abenaa Brewster, Adrian Daneri-Navarro, Maria Mercedes Meza-Montenegro, Luis Enrique Gutierrez-Millan. Acculturation, behavioral factors, and family history of breast cancer among Mexican and Mexican-American women. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Seventh AACR Conference on The Science of Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; Nov 9-12, 2014; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2015;24(10 Suppl):Abstract nr B09.

Acculturation, Behavioral Factors, and Family History of Breast Cancer among Mexican and Mexican-American Women

BackgroundIncidence rates for breast cancer are higher among Mexican-American (MA) women in the United States than women living in Mexico. Studies have shown higher prevalence of breast cancer risk factors in more acculturated than less acculturated Hispanic/Latinas in the United States. We compared the prevalence of behavioral risk factors and family history of breast cancer by level of acculturation and country of residence in women of Mexican descent. MethodsData were collected from 1,201 newly diagnosed breast cancer patients living in Mexico (n = 581) and MAs in the United States (n = 620). MA participants were categorized into three acculturation groups (Spanish dominant, bilingual, and English dominant); women living in Mexico were used as the referent group. The prevalence of behavioral risk factors and family history of breast cancer were assessed according to acculturation level, adjusting for age at diagnosis and education. ResultsIn the adjusted models, bilingual and English-dominant MAs were significantly more likely to have a body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or greater, consume more than one alcoholic beverage a week, and report having a family history of breast cancer than women living in Mexico. All three U.S. acculturation groups were significantly more likely to have lower total energy expenditure (≤533 kcal/d) than women in Mexico. English-dominant women were significantly less likely to ever smoke cigarettes than the Mexican group. ConclusionsOur findings add to the limited scientific literature on the relationships among acculturation, health behavior, and family history of breast cancer in Mexican and MA women.

Acculturation and cigarette smoking in Hispanic women: A meta-analysis

ABSTRACTThe present study was a random-effects model meta-analysis of 26 studies published between 1990 and 2010 (k = 32; n = 39,777) that (a) examined the association between acculturation and cigarette smoking in Hispanic women and (b) evaluated age, national origin, and measure and dimensionality (unidimensional vs. bidimensional) of acculturation as moderating variables. Results indicate a strong positive relationship and suggest larger effects of acculturation on cigarette smoking in women of Mexican descent as compared with women originating from other Latin American countries for current and lifetime smoking, as well as smoking overall. The effect of acculturation on cigarette smoking was larger in adults as compared with adolescents for current smoking and smoking overall. Few differences in effect size by measure or dimensionality of acculturation emerged. Results are discussed with regard to implications for future research and the measurement of acculturation.

Psychological Distress Among Low-Income U.S.- and Foreign-Born Women of Mexican Descent: Impact of Acculturation

PurposeAfter testing the capacity of Kessler's psychological distress (K6) scale to measure equally across low-income Mexican-born women (n = 881) and U.S.-born women of Mexican descent (n = 317), this study assesses the impact of acculturation on this group's psychological distress. MethodsWe employ descriptive and confirmatory factor analyses to test the cross-cultural equivalence of K6. Multivariate and logistic regression is used to test the association between acculturation and psychological distress among low-income, Mexican-American women. ResultsThe cross-cultural equivalence analysis shows that some of the scale's items have the capacity to measure psychological distress equally among participants. Regression results indicate that the more acculturated these women become, the greater their psychological distress is. ConclusionThe study recommends that researchers emphasize the cross-cultural equivalence of their measures and suggests a heightened awareness among practitioners of the multidimensional impact of acculturation on clients of Mexican descent.

Family history and breast cancer subtype among women of Mexican descent.

41 Background: A family history of breast cancer in a first-degree relative is associated with a 2-fold increase in breast cancer risk; however, breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease and there may be differences in risk profiles driven by tumor subtype or by racial/ethnic group. Methods: We assessed prevalence of familial breast cancer and its association with tumor subtype among 914 women with breast cancer of Mexican descent enrolled in the Ella Study, a case-only, binational (U.S.-Mexico) breast cancer study. Logistic regression was conducted to compare odds of triple negative breast cancers to non triple-negative breast cancers according to family history. Results: The prevalence of family history of breast cancer in a first- or second-degree relative was 24.1%, with 13.1% having an affected first-degree relative. Among participants who were diagnosed at age &lt; 50, prevalence of family history of breast cancer in a first- or second-degree relative was 27.4%. After adjustment for age and country of residence, women with a first-degree relative with breast cancer were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancers compared to non triple-negative breast cancers (OR = 1.98; 95% CI, 1.26-3.11). Similar results were seen for odds of triple-negative breast cancers compared to non-triple negative breast cancers for women with affected first- or second-degree relatives (OR=2.04; 95% CI, 1.40–2.98). The odds of triple-negative breast cancer compared to non-triple negative breast cancer was 1.93 (95% CI, 1.26–2.97) for women with first-degree relatives affected with breast or ovarian cancer. Conclusions: Findings suggest that familial cancers are most likely to be associated with triple negative subtype, supporting etiologic heterogeneity by tumor subtype in this population of Hispanic women. This association may be related to the prevalence of BRCA1 founder mutations in this population, which are strongly associated with triple-negative breast cancers. Identification of such differences in risk factors can help personalize screening and prevention approaches.

Decolonizing Intimacies

This essay explores colorism, or the ranking of individuals based on skin color or racialized phenotype, with a focus on women of Mexican descent. I offer a history of skin color consciousness, linking it to Spanish and Anglo American colonial beliefs about the value of women as reproductive objects and to contemporary articulations of lived experiences with colorism. First, I trace colorism historically, considering how discourses of difference built on sixteenth-century notions of gendered contamination and nineteenthcentury notions of purity and prestige were used to construct and privilege whiteness. Next, I draw from interviews with four women who self-identify as Mexican-descent to document how personal experiences with colorism are remembered and understood. These narratives reveal the importance of the family as an institution within which a collective memory of historical white supremacy is continuously performed through colorism. The recognition that colorism is both reproduced and resisted through intimate familial relations opens a space to ask questions about the relationships between contemporary experience and histories of colonization and suggests, finally, that the family is a critical site for decolonial healing.