Immigration, acculturation, and risk factors for obesity and cardiovascular disease: a comparison between Latinos of Peruvian descent in Peru and in the United States.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether migration and acculturation was associated with risk factors for obesity and cardiovascular disease, whether this association is linear or curvilinear, and whether the socio-cultural context alters the association between obesity and cardiovascular disease and individual-level variables.


METHODS
Lima, Peru, San Diego and San Francisco, California.


METHODS
Ninety-two Peruvian residents of Lima and 83 Peruvian immigrant residents of California.


METHODS
total cholesterol, blood pressure, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio.


RESULTS
A significant linear association was found between migration and acculturation and alcohol consumption and total cholesterol in men and women, systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure and body mass index in men, and physical activity in women. Immigration/acculturation level was a significant independent predictor of total cholesterol. Age and body mass index were independent predictors of total cholesterol only in Peru. Sex was an independent predictor of DBP only in the United States. Body mass index was an in dependent predictor of DBP only in Peru. Household income was an independent predictor of SBP and DBP only in Peru and body mass index only in the United States, while level of education was inversely associated with body mass index only in Peru. Regular strenuous physical activity was an independent predictor of obesity measures only in the United States.


CONCLUSIONS
The socio-cultural context alters the risk of obesity and cardiovascular disease associated with individual-level variables and accounts for gender and cross-national differences in the migration-illness association.
Lizarzaburu
Jesus L
JL
Department of Family Medicine, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, USA.
Palinkas
Lawrence A
LA
D000069:Acculturation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000208:ethnology*; D003710:Demography; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000208:ethnology*; D010568:Peru / Q000208:ethnology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking; D012923:Social Class