Social biology
Volume 52, Issue 3-4, 2005, Pages 164-177

Using anthropometric indicators for Mexicans in the United States and Mexico to understand the selection of migrants and the "Hispanic paradox". (Article)

Crimmins E.M.* , Soldo B.J. , Kim J.K. , Alley D.E.
  • a Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, Andrus Gerontology Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0191, United States
  • b Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, Andrus Gerontology Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0191, United States
  • c Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, Andrus Gerontology Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0191, United States
  • d Leonard Davis School of Gerontology, Andrus Gerontology Center, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0191, United States

Abstract

Anthropometric measures including height provide an indication of childhood health that allows exploration of relationships between early life circumstances and adult health. Height can also be used to provide some indication of how early life health is related to selection of migrants and the Hispanic paradox in the United States. This article joins information on persons of Mexican nativity ages 50 and older in the United States collected in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey IV (NHANES IV 1999-2002) with a national sample of persons of the same age living in Mexico from the Mexican Health and Aging Survey (MHAS 2001) to examine relationships between height, education, migration, and late-life health. Mexican immigrants to the United States are selected for greater height and a high school, rather than higher or lower, education. Return migrants from the United States to Mexico are shorter than those who stay. Height is related to a number of indicators of adult health. Results support a role for selection in the Hispanic paradox and demonstrate the importance of education and childhood health as determinants of late-life health in both Mexico and the United States.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

educational status demography selection bias human epidemiology middle aged statistics comparative study health status Aged Logistic Models ethnology Mexico Residence Characteristics United States Humans Hispanic male female Health Status Indicators Article migration Likelihood Functions Emigration and Immigration statistical model body height Epidemiologic Factors Mexican Americans health survey
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-34547633804&partnerID=40&md5=debc06944b8d85c61bae869854f7a8ba
ISSN: 0037766X
Cited by: 65
Original Language: English