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ABSTRACT
Background: This study examined the moderating role of social support in the acculturation-obesity/central obesity relationship in Mexican American (MA) men and women.
Methods: Data from NHANES 1999–2008 were used. Acculturation derived from language use, country of birth and length of residence in the U.S. Social support assessed emotional and financial support. BMI (≥30) and waist circumference (≥88 cm for women; ≥102 cm for men) measured obesity and central obesity, respectively. Weighted multivariate logistic regression models were used to describe associations.
Results: Compared to less acculturation, more acculturation was associated with higher odds of obesity (ORs 2.48; 95% CI 1.06–5.83) and central obesity (2.90; 1.39–6.08) among MA men with low/no social support, but not among MA men reporting high social support. The modifying effects was not observed among women.
Conclusion: Higher amounts of social support appeared to attenuate the risk of obesity/central obesity associated with acculturation. Interventions enhancing social support maybe effective among acculturated MAs, particularly among men.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Key messages
Higher amounts of social support attenuated the risk of obesity associated with acculturation among Mexican Americans.
The moderating effect of social support on acculturation-obesity association was significant in MA men but not in MA women.