Occupational Physical Activity and Weight-Related Outcomes in Immigrant Mothers.
New immigrants are likely to be employed in occupations that provide physical activity; however, these positions may place workers at risk for adverse health outcomes. Relationships between occupational physical activity (OPA); weight-related behaviors; obesity; and depression remain underexplored among recent immigrants.



Participants (N=385) were Brazilian, Haitian, and Latino mothers enrolled in a community-based participatory research lifestyle intervention among immigrant mothers (<10 years in U.S.). Baseline BMI was calculated using objectively measured height and weight. Self-reported baseline data included sociodemographics; physical activity (Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire); depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale); and prepared food purchasing frequency. Logistic regression models estimated the odds of obesity (BMI ≥30.0); high depressive symptoms (score ≥16); and purchasing prepared foods (≥1 times/week) by OPA quartile. Models adjusted for covariates, including household composition, origin group, maternal age, education, household income, and recruitment year (2010, 2011). Data were analyzed in 2013.



Employed participants (49%) primarily worked as domestic workers, nursing assistants, and food service staff. In adjusted models, women in the highest OPA quartile versus lowest had 65% lower obesity odds (95% CI=0.16, 0.76) and approximately twice the odds of presenting high depressive symptoms (2.01, 95% CI=1.02, 4.27) and purchasing takeout food (1.85, 95% CI=0.90, 3.90), which was attenuated after adjusting for income and education (unadjusted OR=1.98, 95% CI=1.10, 3.52).



OPA contributes to energy expenditure and may protect against obesity among new immigrant mothers; however, it is also associated with high depressive symptoms. Implications for physical and psychosocial well-being are mixed.
Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts. Electronic address: ssliwa@cdc.gov.
Sarah A
SA
Sliwa
Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.
Aviva
A
Must
Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.
Flavia C
FC
Peréa
Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts; School of Community and Population Health, University of New England, Portland, Maine.
Rebecca J
RJ
Boulos
Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts.
Christina D
CD
Economos
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015444:Exercise; D057140:Fast Foods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007843:Latin America / Q000208:ethnology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009790:Occupations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult