Social support modifies the negative effects of acculturation on obesity and central obesity in Mexican men

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.

KEYWORDS:

• Acculturation
• social support
• obesity
• central obesity
• Mexican American men and women

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.