Acculturation, weight, and weight-related behaviors among Mexican Americans in the United States

Abstract

Objective: This analysis explores the association between acculturation and body weight, self-perceptions of weight, and attempt to lose weight among Mexican Americans.

Methods: Data were analyzed from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for 2001-2002. Indicator of acculturation used was language assimilation. Factor analysis was used to construct the acculturation measure, and descriptive and multivariable analyses were conducted using SUDAAN.

Results: The acculturation measure differentiated body weight, weight-related behavior, and self-perceptions about weight. Those lower on the acculturation scale were less likely to have a high BMI (> or =30) (24% vs 32%), and their perceptions of their own weight, desired weight, and recent history of trying to lose weight differed significantly from those persons high on the acculturation scale and these varied by sex. Among Mexican Americans with a BMI > or =25, those lower on the acculturation measure were significantly less likely to perceive themselves as overweight (60% vs 73%). They were also less likely to have attempted to lose weight in the past year than those who were high on the acculturation measure (OR = 0.49; 95% CI: 0.31-0.79).

Conclusions: Less acculturated Mexican Americans with BMI > or =25 were less likely to perceive themselves as overweight and to have tried to lose weight. The acculturation measure provides insights into Mexican Americans' perceptions of their own weight and their recent attempt of trying to lose weight.