The Role of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors in Explaining the Association between Acculturation and Obesity among Mexican-American Adults

Abstract

Purpose We investigated associations of acculturation with various types of activity (moderate-vigorous leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), moderate-vigorous work- and transportation-related physical activity and sedentary activity), and whether these activities mediated the acculturation-obesity association among Mexican-Americans. Design Cross-sectional. Setting National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 2007–2010. Subjects Mexican-American NHANES participants aged ≥ 20 years (n=1,902). Measures Demographic characteristics, physical activity, sedentary behavior, acculturation and body mass index. Analysis Multinomial logistic regression was used to estimate associations of acculturation with categories of self-reported activity. Path analysis was used to test whether the activity measures mediated acculturation-obesity associations. Results In adjusted models, compared to US-born Mexican-Americans, foreign-born Mexican-Americans living in the US <10 years were significantly less likely to be in the highest LTPA and sedentary activity categories, and more likely to be in the highest total and transportation activity categories. Foreign-born Mexican-Americans living in the US ≥10 years were significantly less likely to engage in high sedentary activity but more likely to engage in high transportation activity. Sedentary behavior was the strongest mediator of the acculturation-obesity association, accounting for 40.7% and 57.1% of the total effect of acculturation on obesity among foreign-born Mexican-Americans living in the US < 10 years and ≥10 years, respectively, compared to US-born Mexican-Americans. Conclusion Reducing sedentary behavior may lower the negative impact of acculturation on obesity.

Obesity in International Migrant Populations

“…Another NHANES study showed that US-born Mexican Americans engaged in more minutes per week of leisure time physical activity relative to Mexican-born counterparts. However, US-born individuals were also more likely to report having done no work or travel-related physical activity and therefore reported fewer minutes of total physical activity [ 40 ]. For children, analysis of the US National Survey of Children’s Health showed that migrant children were substantially less likely than native-born children to engage in sports and physical activity [ 5 ] which was reflected in analysis of the Canadian Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children Study [ 41 ].…”

Immigrant status and cardiovascular risk over time: results from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

“…14,15 The foreign-born are less likely to meet overall physical activity recommendations than the US-born, but also to have less sedentary behavior. 8,16-18 US birth and longer US residence have also been associated with higher prevalence of diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertension, but the presence and strength of these associations varies across studies. 19-22 If residence in the US contributes to accelerated progression of overall cardiovascular risk, interventions targeted to recent immigrants may be an effective way to reduce future cardiovascular disease burden in immigrant populations.…”

Differences in Self‐Reported Physical Activity and Body Mass Index Among Older Hispanic and Non‐Hispanic White Men and Women: Findings from the 2009 California Health Interview Survey

“…Although the focus of study was not acculturation, the significant ethnic and sex differences in physical activity and BMI persisted even after adjustment for nativity and level of English‐language proficiency. Studies investigating the influence of acculturation on physical activity in Hispanics of all ages generally find that acculturation is negatively associated with healthy diet and physical activity, although other studies have mixed results . Most of this research has focused on early and middle adulthood, and as such, there is a paucity of studies examining these associations in older Hispanics.…”

“…Studies investigating the influence of acculturation on physical activity in Hispanics of all ages generally find that acculturation is negatively associated with healthy diet and physical activity, although other studies have mixed results. 31 Most of this research has focused on early and middle adulthood, and as such, there is a paucity of studies examining these associations in older Hispanics. It is possible that these inconclusive results are due to methodology and acculturation measurement issues.…”