Using the 2002–2003 National Latino and Asian American Study (NLAAS), we examine
relationships between acculturation, migration decisions, and overweight among
Latino and Asian immigrants. Pooled logistic regression models showed no
evidence that acculturation and migration decisions were related to overweight
among Asians, but models for Latinos indicated that aspects of acculturation
(duration of US residence and English proficiency) and migration decisions
(moving to find a job) were significantly associated with overweight status.
However, interaction models also highlighted the gendered nature of the
acculturation–weight relationship, such that country-of-origin ties can have
different implications for the overweight status of male and female
immigrants.
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