Purpose Few studies have examined the early development of a broad range of health issues of importance in adolescence in Latina (female) youth, despite their being potentially a vulnerable group. This study compared suicide and depressive symptoms, substance use, violence exposure, injury prevention, obesity, and health-related quality of life among Latina, African-American, and white females as well as Latino (male) youth in fifth grade, as well as differences related to immigrant generational status for Latinas. Methods Data were from the Healthy Passages study, including 3,349 African-American, Latina, and white females as well as Latino male fifth graders in three U.S. metropolitan areas. Self-report items and scales were used to compare status on health-related issues. Generational status was classified based on the parent report of birth location. Logistic and linear regression analyses were conducted, including adjustment for sociodemographic differences. Results Latinas showed higher vulnerability than white females for several health issues, whereas few remained after adjustments for sociodemographic differences (higher obesity, lower bike helmet use, and lower physical health-related quality of life). Latina's lower vulnerability compared with African-American females generally persisted after adjustments. Third generation Latinas, after adjustments, reported lower prevalence of alcohol use and fewer friends using alcohol, yet higher future intentions of alcohol use, than first and second generation Latinas. There were few differences between Latina and Latino youth. Conclusions Latina youth generally report low vulnerability across health issues in preadolescence. To the extent they appear at higher vulnerability than white females, this may be related to their disadvantaged sociodemographic status. © 2017 Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine

Violence exposure Health-related quality of life Obesity Suicide Racial/ethnic disparities Gender Latina/o Adolescent Substance use Generational status Injury prevention Depressive symptoms

Cohort Effect depression birth logistic regression analysis alcohol consumption Caucasian health disparity Health Status Disparities human epidemiology friend Health Behavior Self Report Cohort Studies statistics and numerical data ethnic group obesity priority journal Substance-Related Disorders health status comparative study drug dependence ethnology African American Hispanic Americans quality of life Humans Hispanic parent male female substance use juvenile linear regression analysis prevalence Article major clinical study European Continental Ancestry Group sex factor Sex Factors Accident Prevention cohort analysis Linear Models statistical model exposure to violence social class African Americans Suicide Child