Using the Los Angeles Family and Neighborhood Survey (L.A.FANS-2; . n = 1610), we explore the link between Mexican immigrant acculturation, diet, exercise and obesity. We distinguish Mexican immigrants and 2nd generation Mexicans from 3rd+ generation whites, blacks and Mexicans. First, we examine variation in social and linguistic measures by race/ethnicity, duration of residence and immigrant generation. Second, we consider the association between acculturation, diet and exercise. Third, we evaluate the degree to which acculturation, diet, exercise, and socioeconomic status explain the association between race/ethnicity, immigrant exposure to the US (duration since immigration/generation), and adult obesity. Among immigrants, we find a clear relationship between acculturation measures, exposure to the US, and obesity-related behaviors (diet and exercise). However, the acculturation measures do not clearly account for the link between adult obesity, immigrant duration and generation, and race/ethnicity. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.

Mexican Obesity Exercise diet Health Acculturation Immigration USA

immigrant Negro Caucasian exercise health risk human immigration middle aged linguistics ethnic group obesity diet socioeconomic status Health Surveys United States social status Humans African Continental Ancestry Group male Emigrants and Immigrants Acculturation Socioeconomic Factors female Mexican cultural factor race Latino people Article major clinical study adult European Continental Ancestry Group Sex Factors Age Factors ethnicity Sociology, Medical Los Angeles Mexican Americans health survey