title: Obesity Among U.S.- and Foreign-Born Blacks by Region of Birth.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Large, recent migration streams from the non-Hispanic Caribbean islands and Africa have increased the share of U.S. blacks born outside of the U.S. Little is known about health patterns in these foreign-born populations. The purpose of this study is to compare obesity levels among self-identified U.S. blacks across birth regions and examine potential explanations for subgroup differences.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were from the 2000-2013 National Health Interview Surveys. Three birthplace subgroups were examined: individuals born in the U.S., Caribbean/South America, and Africa, aged 25-59 years. Data were analyzed in 2013-2014.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to U.S.-born participants, foreign-born participants had significantly lower obesity (BMI ≥30) odds. The AORs were 0.51 (Caribbean/South American-born, 95% CI=0.44, 0.58) and 0.41 (African-born, 95% CI=0.34, 0.50) with reference to U.S.-born individuals. Education, income, and cigarette smoking did not explain the favorable weight pattern of the foreign born. Among the foreign born, those residing in the U.S. for ≥15 years had 51% (95% CI=10%, 108%) higher obesity odds compared with those residing for <5 years. No statistically significant differences in obesity odds between those born in the Caribbean/South America and Africa were detected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Foreign-born blacks generally had lower obesity levels compared to their U.S.-born counterparts, which was not explained by SES or smoking behaviors. Despite this advantage, obesity prevalence among foreign-born black women was around 30%, suggesting that obesity poses a significant health risk this population.
authors.affiliation: Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health. Electronic address: nkmehta@emory.edu.
authors.forename: Neil K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Irma T
authors.initials: IT
authors.lastname: Elo
authors.affiliation: Nutrition and Health Sciences, Laney Graduate School, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Nicole D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Ford
authors.affiliation: Nutrition and Health Sciences, Laney Graduate School, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
authors.forename: Karen R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Siegel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000349:Africa / Q000208:ethnology; D001741:Black or African American / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017691:Caribbean Region / Q000208:ethnology; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology