Influence of race, acculturation, and socioeconomic status on tendency toward overweight in Asian-American and Mexican-American early adolescent females.
BACKGROUND
Health disparities in chronic disease prevalence exist in the United States among racial/ethnic groups. This study explores relationships between physical, socioeconomic, and cultural characteristics of a multi-ethnic sample of early adolescent females which may assist health educators in designing programs targeting these groups.


METHODS
Mexican-American and Asian-American sixth grade females (n = 144) were enrolled in Adequate Calcium Today. Physical measurements included weight, height, and BMI. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry determined percent body fat (%BF). Socioeconomic status was determined by enrollment in free or reduced meal program (FRMP). An adapted Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican-Americans-II (ARSMA-II) measured acculturation.


RESULTS
Mexican-Americans had greater height, BMI, %BF, and a greater tendency toward overweight (P < 0.01) than Asian-American. Asian-Americans were more acculturated than MA (P < 0.005), attributed to a lower ethnic orientation scale score. Within Asian-Americans, %BF was higher among FRMP participants than non-participants (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Income and acculturation may affect tendency toward chronic disease.
Department of Nutrition, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
Sara E
SE
Schaefer
Melissa
M
Salazar
Christine
C
Bruhn
Dennis
D
Saviano
Carol
C
Boushey
Marta D
MD
Van Loan
D000069:Acculturation; D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D001213:Asian / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004641:Emigration and Immigration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008019:Life Style; D017058:Mexican Americans / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009765:Obesity / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D010379:Peer Group; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology