Long-term neighborhood ethnic composition and weight-related outcomes among immigrants: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. (July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lê-Scherban, Félice; Albrecht, Sandra S.; Osypuk, Theresa L.; Sánchez, Brisa N.; Diez Roux, Ana V.
• Is Part Of: Health & place. Volume 58(2019:Jul.)
• Publication Date: 2019-07
• Subjects: Waist circumference -- Neighborhoods -- Immigrants -- Diet -- Physical activity; Health -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Health services accessibility -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; Political planning -- Periodicals; Social medicine -- Periodicals; Epidemiology -- Periodicals; Health Policy -- Periodicals; Health Services Accessibility -- Periodicals; Public Health -- Periodicals; Public Policy -- Periodicals; Sociology, Medical -- Periodicals; Épidémiologie -- Périodiques; Politique sanitaire -- Périodiques; Santé, Services de -- Accessibilité -- Périodiques; Health services accessibility; Health -- Social aspects; Political planning; Public health; Social medicine; Periodicals; 613
• DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2019.102147
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1353-8292

Abstract

Abstract: Weight among immigrants in the United States (US) is lower than among the US-born on average, but higher among long-term immigrants than the newly arrived. Neighborhood coethnic concentration—the proportion of neighborhood residents of the same ethnic background—may influence weight among immigrants via behavioral norms and market-driven community resources. However, the relevant exposure timeframe may be far longer than is captured by existing cross-sectional and short-term studies. Using detailed historical residential address information on 1449 older Latino and Chinese long-term immigrants, we investigated associations of 10–20-year neighborhood coethnic concentration trajectories with current waist circumference and weight-related behaviors (diet, physical activity, and sedentary time). Among Chinese participants, compared to persistent low coethnic concentration, increasing coethnic concentration was associated with higher waist circumference (difference = 1.45 cm [0.51, 2.39]). In contrast, both increasing coethnic concentration and persistent high coethnic concentration were associated with a healthier diet. Among Latino participants, trajectories characterized by higher coethnic concentration were associated with higher waist circumference (e.g., difference = 2.11 cm [0.31, 3.91] for persistent high vs. persistent low) and low physical activity. Long-term patterns of neighborhood coethnic concentration may affect weight-related outcomes among immigrants in complex ways that differ by ethnicity and outcome. Highlights: Long-term neighborhood ethnic composition was related to immigrants' weight outcomes. Chinese and Latino immigrants in high-coethnic neighborhoods had higher waist circumference. Latino immigrants in high-Latino neighborhoods reported less physical activity. Chinese immigrants in increasing or high coethnic neighborhoods had healthier diets.