It Weigh(t)s on You: Everyday Discrimination and Adiposity Among Latinos

Abstract

Objective: Evidence suggests discrimination increases the risk of obesity. The biopsychosocial model of racism posits that psychological factors such as depressive symptoms may link experiences of perceived interpersonal discrimination to obesity. This study tested whether self-reported experiences of everyday discrimination were associated with adiposity indicators and whether depressive symptoms explained these associations.

Methods: Cross-sectional survey data of 602 Latino adults living in Lawrence, Massachusetts, from the Latino Health and Well-being Project (2011-2013) were used. Participants completed questionnaires assessing perceived everyday discrimination and depressive symptoms. Anthropometric measures (i.e., BMI and waist circumference [WC]) were obtained by trained staff. Structural equation modeling was employed to test for direct and indirect effects of perceived everyday discrimination on adiposity.

Results: Perceived everyday discrimination was directly and positively associated with higher BMI and WC, independent of sociodemographic factors, physical activity, and stressful life events. Perceived everyday discrimination was not indirectly associated with BMI and WC through depressive symptoms. However, perceived everyday discrimination was associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms.

Conclusions: Self-reported everyday discrimination among Latino adults is associated with adiposity. Day-to-day interpersonal discrimination may be implicated in obesity disparities for Latino adults.

Figure 1. Structural Equation Model Solution with Standardized Measurement Weights and Structural Parameters

Note. RC= Reverse Coded. Dashed lines represent non-significant structural paths. Values in parentheses represent standard errors. Covariance between errors for body mass index and waist circumference not represented in model (β= .89, p< .001). The model was adjusted for age, gender, birthplace, employment status, perceived income, physical activity, and stressful life events. *p < .05; ***p < .001