Social patterning in body mass index (BMI) among contemporary immigrant groups: the emergence of a gradient.

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  • Author(s): Frank R;Frank R; Akresh IR
  • Source:
    Demography [Demography] 2013 Jun; Vol. 50 (3), pp. 993-1012.
  • Publication Type:
    Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Language:
    English
  • Additional Information
    • Source:
      Publisher: Duke University Press Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 0226703 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Print ISSN: 0070-3370 (Print) Linking ISSN: 00703370 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Demography Subsets: MEDLINE
    • Publication Information:
      Publication: 2021- : Durham, NC : Duke University Press
      Original Publication: Washington, etc., Population Assn. of America.
    • Subject Terms:
      Body Mass Index* ; Culture*; Emigrants and Immigrants/*psychology; Adult ; Female ; Health Status ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sex Factors ; Socioeconomic Factors ; United States
    • Abstract:
      Although adult body mass index (BMI) displays considerable social patterning worldwide, the direction and strength of the relationship between BMI and socioeconomic status (SES) varies cross nationally. We examine social gradients in BMI for contemporary U.S. immigrants and evaluate whether their SES-BMI gradient patterns are shaped by underlying gradients in immigrant origin countries and whether they are further patterned by time in the United States. Data come from the New Immigrant Survey, the only nationally representative survey of contemporary immigrants. Results indicate that the inverse SES-BMI gradients observed among this population are strongest among women originating in highly developed countries. After arrival in the United States, however, inverse gradient patterns are driven largely by higher weights among low-SES individuals, particularly those from less-developed countries. We conclude that although certain immigrants appear to be uniquely protected from weight gain, poorer individuals from less-developed countries are doubly disadvantaged; this raises concerns about worsening inequalities in both diet and behavior between the rich and poor upon arrival to the United States.
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    • Grant Information:
      R24 HD054484 United States HD NICHD NIH HHS
    • Publication Date:
      Date Created: 20121205 Date Completed: 20130724 Latest Revision: 20211021
    • Publication Date:
      20221213
    • Accession Number:
      10.1007/s13524-012-0174-0
    • Accession Number:
      23208784