Higher generational and acculturation status are associated with poorer diet and greater body weight among Mexican American adolescents

Children of Mexican Americans, the largest and fastest growing ethnic minority group, are disproportionately affected by obesity, but data on how generation and acculturation status might influence their diet and body weight are limited. We investigated these relationships using data from the 1999–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), restricting to 2,286 Mexican American children between 12–19 years old. NHANES used a validated 6‐item Short Acculturation Scale to assess acculturation status and a 24‐hour diet recall for diet. We used multiple linear, tobit, logistic and quantile regression models that adjusted for potential confounders. We found that compared to the 1st generation, both 2nd and 3rd generation had significantly greater odds of overweight and obesity. Third‐generation adolescents consumed significantly less fruits, whole fruits, vegetables, grains and meats, but consumed more sweetened beverage, whole grains, saturated fat, sodium, oil and energy from solid fat, alcohol and added sugar. Higher acculturation was also associated with poorer diet and greater body weight among Mexican American adolescents. Effective programs and strategies promoting healthy diet and weight‐gain prevention among Mexican American immigrants are needed. Study sponsored by Maternal and Child Health Research Program, Health Resources and Services Administration (R40MC17167). Grant Funding Source : Maternal and Child Health Research Program, Health Resources and Services Administration (R40MC17167)