The Association of Afro-Caribbean Immigrants' Feelings of Disconnection from the Community with the Metabolic Syndrome.
Many immigrants can feel like outsiders in their adopted country. The objective of this study was to determine if psychosocial stress associated with feelings of disconnection from the community is associated with the metabolic syndrome (Met-S) among Afro-Caribbean immigrants. The frequency of the Met-S, based on International Diabetes Federation criteria, was determined for a population-based sample of 406 English-speaking Afro-Caribbean immigrants ages twenty and older in the Virgin Islands of the United States (USVI). Feelings of disconnection were assess with Roger's Life Attitude Inventory. Logistic regression analyses showed that a high level of disconnection was significantly associated with the Met-S [Odds Ratio = 1.64 (95% CI 1.10-2.44)] after adjusting for conventional risk factors and for body mass index. Afro-Caribbean immigrants in the USVI who express a high level of disconnection from the community have an increased risk for the Met-S.
Inter-American Center for Public Health Improvement Inc., P.O. Box 7863, Christiansted, St. Croix, 00823, USA. drmirt@yahoo.com.
Eugene S
ES
Tull
The Department of Behavioral Sciences, Athens State University, Athens, AL, 35611, USA.
Malcolm A
MA
Cort
Center for Health Research, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA.
Hossein N
HN
Yarandi
D000328:Adult; D044383:Black People / Q000208:ethnology*; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000208:ethnology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000208:ethnology*; D014767:United States Virgin Islands / Q000453:epidemiology; D014900:West Indies / Q000208:ethnology
Afro-Caribbean; Insulin resistance; Metabolic syndrome; Psychosocial stress; US Virgin Islands