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The Association Between Acculturation and Obesity in Hispanic Women: Findings from the 2005 California Women's Health Survey
Author(s) -
Banna Jinan Corinne,
Kaiser Lucia,
Townsend Marilyn
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.454.1
Subject(s) - acculturation , overweight , body mass index , obesity , medicine , demography , gerontology , affect (linguistics) , immigration , psychology , geography , sociology , communication , pathology , archaeology
Objective: To assess the relation of acculturation with obesity in Hispanic women in California. Methods: We analyzed data from Hispanic women 18 years of age and older (n=1298) from the 2005 California Women's Health Survey (CWHS). Results: Participants had a mean body mass index (BMI) of 27.6 ± 5.9; over 50% of the sample was classified as overweight (BMI 25–29.9) or obese (BMI ≥30). There was no association between BMI and language acculturation, nor was there a significant difference in BMI between those born in the U.S. and those born elsewhere. For those born outside of the U.S., however, there was a significant association between BMI and years spent in the U.S. (p<.0001), with those classified as overweight or obese having spent more time in the U.S. Of those who had lived in the U.S. <5 years, 19% had a BMI ≥30, compared to 34% of those who had lived in the U.S. >20 years. Conclusions: These findings show a positive association between length of time in the U.S. and BMI in foreign‐born Hispanic females. Language use and birthplace, however, were not associated with BMI. The way in which acculturation is measured may affect study results and should be considered. Study findings indicate the need for further investigation of the acculturation process and obesity in order to design appropriate prevention strategies. Supported by the Jastro Shields Graduate Research Scholarship.