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Published in: International Journal of Public Health 4/2013

01-08-2013 | Original Article

Secular trends in the association between nativity/length of US residence with body mass index and waist circumference among Mexican-Americans, 1988–2008

Authors: Sandra S. Albrecht, Ana V. Diez Roux, Allison E. Aiello, Amy J. Schulz, Ana F. Abraido-Lanza

Published in: International Journal of Public Health | Issue 4/2013

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Abstract

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.
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Metadata
Title
Secular trends in the association between nativity/length of US residence with body mass index and waist circumference among Mexican-Americans, 1988–2008
Authors
Sandra S. Albrecht
Ana V. Diez Roux
Allison E. Aiello
Amy J. Schulz
Ana F. Abraido-Lanza
Publication date
01-08-2013
Publisher
Springer Basel
Published in
International Journal of Public Health / Issue 4/2013
Print ISSN: 1661-8556
Electronic ISSN: 1661-8564
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-012-0414-5

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