In hindsight: urban exposure explains the association between prior migration and current health of older adults in Mexico.
OBJECTIVE
This study examines sex differences in the association between migration and exposure to an urban environment and overweight, hypertension and diabetes in later life.


METHODS
Interviews were conducted with 3,604 adults aged 50 and older in the Mexican Family Life Survey (MxFLS). Logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between previous migration, urban exposure, and risk of overweight, hypertension, and diabetes.


RESULTS
Migration itself was not associated with health outcomes after controlling for urban exposure. The risk of overweight and diabetes associated with urban exposure appeared to be greater for men. Sex differences were found in the covariates that helped explain differences in health between those with high and low urban exposure.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings underscore the need to consider heterogeneity in health by urban exposure and by sex.
Davis School of Gerontology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0191, USA. fwheaton@usc.edu
Felicia V
FV
Wheaton
Eileen M
EM
Crimmins
D000368:Aged; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004641:Emigration and Immigration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013997:Time Factors; D014171:Transients and Migrants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*