Incidence of type 2 diabetes by place of birth in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)

Structural and social determinants of health: The multi-ethnic study of atherosclerosis

BACKGROUND

Researchers have increasingly recognized the importance of structural and social determinants of health (SSDOH) as key drivers of a multitude of diseases and health outcomes. The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) is an ongoing, longitudinal cohort study of subclinical cardiovascular disease (CVD) that has followed geographically and racially/ethnically diverse participants starting in 2000. Since its inception, MESA has incorporated numerous SSDOH assessments and instruments to study in relation to CVD and aging outcomes. In this paper, we describe the SSDOH data available in MESA, systematically review published papers using MESA that were focused on SSDOH and provide a roadmap for future SSDOH-related studies.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

The study team reviewed all published papers using MESA data (n = 2,125) through January 23, 2023. Two individuals systematically reviewed titles, abstracts, and full text to determine the final number of papers (n = 431) that focused on at least one SSDOH variable as an exposure, outcome, or stratifying/effect modifier variable of main interest (discrepancies resolved by a third individual). Fifty-seven percent of the papers focused on racialized/ethnic groups or other macrosocial/structural factors (e.g., segregation), 16% focused on individual-level inequalities (e.g. income), 14% focused on the built environment (e.g., walking destinations), 10% focused on social context (e.g., neighborhood socioeconomic status), 34% focused on stressors (e.g., discrimination, air pollution), and 4% focused on social support/integration (e.g., social participation). Forty-seven (11%) of the papers combined MESA with other cohorts for cross-cohort comparisons and replication/validation (e.g., validating algorithms).

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, MESA has made significant contributions to the field and the published literature, with 20% of its published papers focused on SSDOH. Future SSDOH studies using MESA would benefit by using recently added instruments/data (e.g., early life educational quality), linking SSDOH to biomarkers to determine underlying causal mechanisms linking SSDOH to CVD and aging outcomes, and by focusing on intersectionality, understudied SSDOH (i.e., social support, social context), and understudied outcomes in relation to SSDOH (i.e., sleep, respiratory health, cognition/dementia).

Diabetes Among Racial and Ethnically Diverse Older Adults in the United States with Cognitive Limitations

Diabetes is one of the most common coexisting conditions among adults with cognitive limitations. Complexities of diabetes care present challenges for older adults and their caregivers. Few studies have evaluated disparities in the prevalence of coexisting diabetes among older adults with cognitive limitations by race/ethnicity and nativity. Our objectives were to (1) estimate the odds of coexisting diabetes among US- and foreign-born racial/ethnic groups compared to US-born non-Hispanic White older adults and (2) compare US- and foreign-born older adults within each racial/ethnic group. We linked and analyzed 2000-2017 National Health Interview Survey and 2001-2018 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data among older adults with cognitive limitations (ages ≥ 65 years, n = 4688). The overall prevalence of coexisting diabetes among older adults with cognitive limitations was 30.3%. Among older adults with cognitive limitations and after adjusted for age, sex, education, and risk factors for diabetes and cognitive limitations, non-Hispanic Black (US-born OR = 1.56, 95%CI = 1.23-1.98; foreign-born OR = 2.69, 95%CI = 1.20-6.05) and Hispanic (US-born OR = 2.13, 95%CI = 1.34-3.40; foreign-born OR = 2.02, 95%CI = 1.49-2.72) older adults had higher odds of coexisting diabetes compared to US-born non-Hispanic Whites. There were no differences in the odds of coexisting diabetes among foreign-born non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic adults compared to US-born counterparts. Findings suggest a large potential burden of coexisting diabetes among this growing populations of US- and foreign-born racially/ethnically diverse older adults with cognitive limitations. Future studies are needed to examine how diabetes self-efficacy, treatment, and monitoring are impacted by cognitive limitations and determine ways to improve care in collaboration with caregivers and healthcare providers.

Disparities in diabetes prevalence and management by race and ethnicity in the USA: defining a path forward

Type 2 diabetes disparities in the USA persist in both the prevalence of disease and diabetes-related complications. We conducted a literature review related to diabetes prevention, management, and complications across racial and ethnic groups in the USA. The objective of this review is to summarise the current understanding of diabetes disparities by examining differences between and within racial and ethnic groups and among young people (aged <18 years). We also examine the pathophysiology of diabetes as it relates to race and ethnic differences. We use a conceptual framework built on the socioecological model to categorise the causes of diabetes disparities across the lifespan looking at factors in five domains of health behaviours and social norms, public awareness, structural racism, economic development, and access to high-quality care. The range of disparities in diabetes prevalence and management in the USA calls for a community-engaged and multidisciplinary approach that must involve community partners, researchers, practitioners, health system administrators, and policy makers. We offer recommendations for each of these groups to help to promote equity in diabetes prevention and care in the USA.

Black Nativity and Health Disparities: A Research Paradigm for Understanding the Social Determinants of Health

After more than a century of research and debate, the scientific community has yet to reach agreement on the principal causes of racialized disparities in population health. This debate currently centers on the degree to which "race residuals" are a result of unobserved differences in the social context or unobserved differences in population characteristics. The comparative study of native and foreign-born Black populations represents a quasi-experimental design where race is "held constant". Such studies present a unique opportunity to improve our understanding of the social determinants of population health disparities. Since native and foreign-born Black populations occupy different sociocultural locations, and since populations with greater African ancestry have greater genetic diversity, comparative studies of these populations will advance our understanding of the complex relationship between sociocultural context, population characteristics and health outcomes. Therefore, we offer a conceptual framing for the comparative study of native and foreign-born Blacks along with a review of 208 studies that compare the mental and physical health of these populations. Although there is some complexity, especially with respect to mental health, the overall pattern is that foreign-born Blacks have better health outcomes than native-born Blacks. After reviewing these studies, we conclude with suggestions for future studies in this promising area of social and medical research.

Disparities in diabetes between US-born and foreign-born population: using three diabetes indicators

We investigated disparities in diabetes between the US-born and foreign-born populations using three diabetes measures: diagnosed diabetes, undiagnosed diabetes, and total diabetes, either diagnosed or undiagnosed diabetes. We analyzed adults aged 30-84 years drawn from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009-2018 (n = 21,390). Of cohorts in 2009-2018, foreign-born adults had significantly higher age-standardized prevalence of diagnosed (12.6% vs. 10.6%) and undiagnosed diabetes (4.5% vs. 2.6%), and total diabetes (17.1% vs. 13.2%) than US-born adults. Results from logistic and multinomial regressions adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, limited access to healthcare and BMI showed that the foreign-born had significantly higher odds of total diabetes (OR: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.04-1.50) and undiagnosed diabetes (OR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.44-2.32) compared to the US-born. There was no significant difference in diagnosed diabetes by nativity (OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 0.96-1.53). Our results show that foreign-born adults were at higher risk of diabetes than US-born adults, and the difference by nativity was largely attributable to BMI and racial/ethnic composition. In addition, we demonstrated the importance of choosing measures of diabetes in studying diabetes mainly due to the foreign-born group's high prevalence of undiagnosed diabetes, which biases the prevalence of diabetes downward when diagnosed diabetes is used.

Increasing obesity odds among foreign-born New Yorkers are not explained by eating out, age at arrival, or duration of residence: results from NYC HANES 2004 and 2013/2014

BACKGROUND

Among the foreign-born in the United States (US) dietary acculturation and eating out may increase obesity risk. Using the 2004 (N = 1952) and 2013/14 (N = 1481) New York City (NYC) Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, we compared for the foreign-born and US-born by survey year: 1) odds of obesity; 2) association between eating out and obesity and 3) effect of age at arrival and duration of residence among the foreign-born. Weighted logistic regression estimated odds of obesity.

RESULTS

Compared to the US-born, the foreign-born had lower odds of obesity in 2004, (aOR = 0.51 (95%CI 0.37-0.70), P = <.0001). Odds were no different in 2013/14. In 2013/14 the foreign-born who ate out had lower obesity odds (aOR = 0.49 (95%CI 0.31-0.77), P = 0.0022). The foreign-born living in the US≥10 years had greater odds of obesity in 2004 (aOR = 1.73 (95%CI 1.08-2.79), P = 0.0233) but not in 2013/14.

CONCLUSIONS

Eating out does not explain increasing obesity odds among the foreign-born.

Influence of patient immigrant status on physician trainee diabetes treatment decisions: a virtual patient experimental study

To determine the effect of patient immigrant status on physician trainees' diabetes treatment decisions. Participants were 140 physician trainees ('providers'). Providers viewed videos and vignettes of virtual patients differing in immigrant status (born in Mexico or U.S.; other characteristics held constant). Analyses were completed at the group and individual levels. Providers were less likely to refer foreign-born (vs. U.S.-born) patients to endocrinology. Individual-level results showed an almost even split between treatment ratings for foreign-born vs. U.S.-born patients for three decisions (take no action, add oral hypoglycemic agent, add/switch to insulin), explaining why group-level differences for these ratings did not emerge (i.e., they were cancelled out). Physician trainees are less likely to refer foreign-born patients to endocrinology. Half of individual-level decisions were influenced by patient immigrant status, but group-level analyses mask these differences. Systematic treatment differences based on non-relevant factors could lead to adverse outcomes for immigrants.

Moving Diabetes Upstream: the Social Determinants of Diabetes Management and Control Among Immigrants in the US

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Relative to the US-born population, immigrants are less likely to successfully manage and control their diabetes, leading to a host of diabetes-related complications. This review draws on the social determinants of health framework (SDoH) to summarize the multilevel factors that shape diabetes care and management among immigrants in the USA.

RECENT FINDINGS

While the diabetes literature is replete with research on individual-level risk factors and health behaviors, empirical literature linking the SDoH to diabetes management among immigrants is limited. However, housing precarity, food insecurity, poverty, uninsurance and underinsurance, and limited support for immigrants in healthcare systems are consistently shown to deter diabetes management and care. Immigrants with diabetes face a multitude of structural constraints to managing their diabetes. More research that theorizes the role of SDoH in diabetes management along with empirical qualitative and quantitative studies are needed. Interventions to address diabetes also require a more upstream approach in order to mitigate the drivers of diabetes disparities among immigrants.

Identifying Urban Immigrant Food-Cultivation Practices for Culturally-Tailored Garden-Based Nutrition Programs

Garden-based nutrition programs are used to address food access and nutrition in low-income communities. In urban immigrant communities, food-growing practices may be shaped by environmental and cultural factors, and may not reflect the assumptions behind these curricula. Built-environment research was adapted to develop a protocol for assessing a community's gardening practices. A random sample of census blocks was generated and mapped, observational protocols developed, iteratively tested and refined, then fieldworkers trained and deployed. Daily debriefings were conducted to identify challenges in field implementation. Nearly all (93%) sampled blocks contained evidence of food cultivation. Garden structures, land-use patterns, and plant choices reflected cultural preferences, differing substantively from USDA home gardening curricula. This tool successfully identified food-growing practices within an urban immigrant Asian and Pacific Islander community, and provides a replicable methodology for community assessment. Results support the need to culturally-tailor garden-based nutrition programs for urban immigrant populations.

Diabetes Risk Perception Among Immigrant and Racial/Ethnic Minority Adults in the United States

PURPOSE

The purpose of the study was to examine associations of immigrant and racial/ethnic status with diabetes risk perception among a population-based sample of US adults without diabetes. Racial/ethnic minorities are at increased risk of developing diabetes. Emerging research shows that immigrant (foreign born) individuals are also at increased risk, but less is understood about risk perception in this group.

METHODS

Respondents were 11,569 adults from the NHANES (2011-2016; National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) reporting no diabetes or prediabetes. Immigrant status was coded as foreign born or US born and analyses used NHANES racial/ethnic categories: white, black, Mexican American, other Hispanic, Asian, and other/multiracial. Immigrant status and variables comparing each minority group with whites were simultaneously entered into models predicting risk perception (yes/no), adjusting for demographic and diabetes risk factors.

RESULTS

Being foreign born was associated with decreased odds of perceived risk, while being Mexican American, Asian, and other/multiracial were associated with increased odds of perceived risk.

DISCUSSION

Foreign-born adults are less likely than US-born adults to report perceived risk for diabetes. Lower diabetes risk perception among immigrants could result in poorer preventative behaviors and later diabetes detection.

The Immigrant Health Differential in the Context of Racial and Ethnic Disparities: The Case of Diabetes

PURPOSE

Social and economic disparities between racial/ethnic groups are a feature of the American context into which immigrants are incorporated, and a key determinant of population health. We ask whether racial/ethnic disparities in diabetes vary by nativity and whether native-immigrant disparities in diabetes vary by race and over time in the United States.

METHODS

Using the 2000-2015 National Health Interview Survey, we estimate logistic regressions to examine the interaction of race/ethnicity, nativity, and duration in the U.S. in shaping diabetes patterns.

RESULTS

Relative to their native-born co-ethnics, foreign-born Asian adults experience a significant diabetes disadvantage, while foreign-born Hispanic, Black, and White adults experience a significant advantage. Adjusting for obesity, education, and other covariates eliminates the foreign-born advantage for Black and White adults, but it persists for Hispanic adults. The same adjustment accentuates the disadvantage for foreign-born Asian adults. For Black and Hispanic adults, the protective foreign-born effect erodes as duration in the U.S. increases. For foreign-born Asian adults, the immigrant disadvantage appears to grow with duration in the U.S. Relative to native-born White adults, all non-white groups regardless of nativity see a diabetes disadvantage because the racial/ethnic disadvantage either countervails a foreign-born advantage or amplifies a foreign-born disadvantage.

DISCUSSION

Racial/ethnic differentials in diabetes are considerable, and are influenced by each group's nativity composition. Obesity and (for the foreign-born) time in the U.S. influence these disparities, but do not explain them. These findings underscore the importance of unmeasured, systemic determinants of health in America's race-conscious society.

Charting the Future for Ethnicity and Health Research: Clinical and Population Science Insights From the MESA

The MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) has been highly successful in investigating the prevalence, characteristics, and progression of subclinical cardiovascular disease (CVD) in a multiethnic American cohort of adult men and women free of CVD at baseline. MESA has also championed the use of novel biomarkers and emerging imaging techniques for the assessment of subclinical CVD and has created an extensive set of data that continues to fuel dozens of ongoing analyses. Insights from MESA include the first demonstration of ethnic differences in coronary artery calcification and its association with subclinical disease progression and incident CVD. Other findings include ethnic differences in the prevalence of pharmacological, behavioral, and lifestyle interventions for the primary prevention of CVD. MESA has also shown the association between residential neighborhood characteristics and behavioral and biomedical risk factors for CVD. This vast amount of data documenting ethnic differences in progression of subclinical CVD, diabetes, kidney disease, and pulmonary disease contrasts sharply with the relative scarcity of specific information that can pave the way for the elimination of racial and ethnic disparities. Intervention research, however, goes beyond the original objectives of MESA and other observational studies. The time has now come to build on the legacy of MESA by supporting rigorous intervention research that informs clinical and public health strategies as well as policy and environmental changes for eliminating racial and ethnic disparities in CVD and other chronic diseases and advancing the health of multiethnic communities.

Inadequate screening for retinopathy among recent immigrants with type 2 diabetes despite universal health care: A population-based study

AIMS

To examine retinopathy screening and treatment rates for recent immigrants compared to non-immigrants in a universal health care system.

METHODS

Linked health care and immigration databases were used to identify all 771,564 adults diagnosed with diabetes between 1996 and 2007, in Ontario, Canada. The cohort was stratified by their immigration status and followed until 2013 for retinopathy screening and treatment visits.

RESULTS

Retinopathy screening rates were low, and recent immigrants were considerably less likely to receive screening than long-term residents (≥1 examination within 1year: 37.5% vs. 50.5%, adjusted OR 0.76 [95% CI, 0.75-0.77]; ≥3 examinations within 6years: 46.6% vs. 61.9%, adjusted OR 0.77 [95% Cl, 0.76-0.79]). Immigrants were also less likely to receive surgical treatment for retinopathy, but adjustment for the frequency of screening attenuated these differences.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite universal access to physician services, only half of all individuals with newly-diagnosed type 2 diabetes received retinopathy screening within the first year, and recent immigrants were markedly less likely to be screened. After adjusting for screening rates, gaps in surgical treatment for retinopathy were attenuated, suggesting that treatable retinopathy may be being missed among recent immigrants because of inadequate screening.

The Relationship between Diet Quality and Acculturation of Immigrated South Asian American Adults and Their Association with Metabolic Syndrome

Even though the total SA American population is increasing rapidly, there is a paucity of information on the relationship between diet quality, acculturation and health outcomes such as Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) in the low-income South Asian (SA) sub-population. Our goal was to examine diet quality, degree of acculturation and their potential influence on MetS in a diverse sample of SA Americans. A convenience sample of 401 adult SA men and women were studied using a cross-sectional study design. Volunteers from two low-income community health clinics in Maryland were interviewed by questionnaires. MetS, defined by the consensus harmonized definition by the presence of ≥ 3 of the 5 abnormal indicators, was studied. An interviewer obtained an automated self-administered 24-hour Recall (ASA24) and an acculturation index (using a previously validated (SL-ASIA). SA had a composite HEI2010 score of 68 suggesting an overall need for diet improvements. Males had a higher diet quality (mean HEI2010 score) than females. Males with MetS had lower diet quality (68) than males without MetS (73). The converse was true for females (68 vs. 65). Americanized (more acculturated) subjects had a higher diet quality compared to less acculturated SA. Small differences were found in diet quality scores among SA adults from different countries. Less acculturated females, had a higher percentage of MetS and lower diet quality compared to males. These results suggest that interventions are needed in males and females who were less acculturated because they may have greater MetS and lower diet quality compared to more Americanized SA.

Immigrant status and cardiovascular risk over time: results from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

PURPOSE

Despite cross-sectional evidence that foreign-born United States (US) residents often have better health than US-born residents of similar race and/or ethnicity, we know little about overall cardiovascular risk progression over time among immigrants as they age in the US.

METHODS

Using longitudinal data from the Multiethnic Study of Atherosclerosis on 6446 adults aged 45-84 years at baseline, we examined how nativity and length of US residence related to change in cardiovascular health (CVH) and cardiovascular event incidence over 11-year follow-up. CVH was measured using the American Heart Association's CVH measure (range, 0-14; higher is better).

RESULTS

Immigrants, particularly those with shorter US residence, had better baseline CVH and lower cardiovascular event incidence than the US born. Baseline CVH scores ranged from 8.67 (8.42-8.92) among immigrants living in the US less than 10 years to 7.86 (7.76-7.97) among the US born. However, recent immigrants experienced the largest CVH declines over time: 10-year declines ranged from -1.04 (-1.27 to -0.80) among immigrants living in the US less than 10 years at baseline to -0.47 (-0.52 to -0.42) among the US born.

CONCLUSIONS

Public health prevention efforts targeting new immigrants may help slow the deterioration of CVH and reduce future cardiovascular risk.

Acculturation and Diabetes Risk in the Mexican American Mano a Mano Cohort

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the association between acculturation and diabetes risk in the Mexican American Mano a Mano (hand to hand) Cohort.

METHODS

We recruited 15 975 men and women in the Houston, Texas, area from 2001 to 2014. We used language use, birth country, and duration of US residence (among Mexico-born) to assess acculturation. Participants self-reported a physician's diagnosis of diabetes during annual follow-up over an average of 5.4 (range = 1-13) years. Self-reported diabetes status was validated in medical records for a subset of 235 participants with 98% agreement.

RESULTS

Diabetes risk was higher among immigrants with 15 to 19, 20 to 24, and 25 or more years (relative risk = 1.47; 95% confidence interval = 1.07, 2.01) of US residence, relative to those with less than 5 years. Neither language acculturation nor birth country was significantly associated with diabetes risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Among participants born in Mexico, diabetes risk increased with longer duration of US residence.

Improving access to shared decision-making for Hispanics/Latinos with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus

PURPOSE

To describe the cultural and linguistic adaptation and Spanish translation of an English-language patient decision aid (PDA) for use in supporting shared decision-making in Hispanics/Latinos with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a group at a high risk for complications.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A steering committee of endocrinologists, a primary care physician, a certified diabetes educator, and a dietician, each with extensive experience in providing care to Hispanics/Latinos was convened to assess a PDA developed for English-speaking patients with T2DM. English content was reviewed for cultural sensitivity and appropriateness for a Hispanic/Latino population. A consensus-building process and iterative version edits incorporated clinician perspectives. The content was adapted to be consistent with traditional Hispanic/Latino cultural communication precepts (eg, avoidance of hostile confrontation; value for warm interaction; respect for authority; value of family support for decisions). The PDA was translated by native-speaking individuals with diabetes expertise.

RESULTS

The PDA underwent testing during cognitive interviews with ten Spanish-speaking Hispanics/Latinos with T2DM to ensure that the content is reflective of the experience, understanding, and language Hispanic/Latino patients use to describe diabetes and treatment. Content edits were made to assure a literacy level appropriate to the audience, and the PDA was produced for online video dissemination.

CONCLUSION

High-quality, well-developed tools to facilitate shared decision-making in populations with limited access to culturally sensitive information can narrow gaps and align care with individual patient preferences. A newly developed PDA is available for shared decision-making that provides culturally appropriate treatment information for inadequately controlled Hispanics/Latinos with T2DM. The impact on the overall health of patients and care management of T2DM requires further study.

Diabetes among US- and foreign-born blacks in the USA

OBJECTIVE

Little is known about diabetes status among US blacks by nativity. This study aims to measure differences in diabetes among US blacks by region of birth and examines potential explanations for subgroup differences.

DESIGN

Data from 47,751 blacks aged 25-74 pooled from the 2000-2013 waves of the National Health Interview Survey were analyzed. Logistic regression models predicted self-reported diabetes. The roles of education, income, body mass index (BMI), smoking, and duration of US residence were explored.

RESULTS

Compared to the US-born, foreign-born blacks had significantly lower reported diabetes prevalence (8.94% vs. 11.84%) and diabetes odds ratio [OR: 0.75; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.62, 0.89], adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics. Further inclusion of education, income, household size, and smoking did not appreciably change the OR (0.77; 95% CI: 0.61, 0.86). Including an adjustment for BMI entirely eliminated the foreign-born advantage (OR 0.93; 95% CI: 0.78, 1.11). The foreign-born from the Caribbean/Americas had similar diabetes odds compared to the African-born. Among the foreign-born, an increased duration of US residence was associated with a higher diabetes odds, but these associations did not reach statistical significance (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The healthy immigrant advantage extended to diabetes among US blacks, a finding that is explained by lower levels of overweight/obesity among the foreign-born compared to the US-born. Nonetheless, more than 71.4% of the foreign-born were overweight or obese. Understanding the mechanisms through which exposure to the US environment leads to higher obesity and diabetes risk may aid prevention efforts for the rapidly growing foreign-born black subpopulation.

Acculturation and the prevalence of diabetes in US Latino Adults, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2010

Introduction

US Latinos are growing at the fastest rate of any racial/ethnic group in the United States and have the highest lifetime risk of diabetes. Acculturation may increase the risk of diabetes among all Latinos, but this hypothesis has not been studied in a nationally representative sample. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that acculturation was associated with an increased risk of diabetes in such a sample.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis including 3,165 Latino participants in the 2007–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Participants with doctor-diagnosed diabetes and participants without diagnosed diabetes who had glycated hemoglobin (HbA_1C) values of 6.5% or higher were classified as having diabetes. An acculturation score, ranging from 0 (lowest) to 3 (highest), was calculated by giving 1 point for each of 3 characteristics: being born in the United States, speaking predominantly English, and living in the United States for 20 years or more. Logistic regression was used to determine the association between acculturation and diabetes.

Results

The prevalence of diabetes among Latinos in our sample was 12.4%. After adjusting for sociodemographic factors, the likelihood of diabetes (95% confidence interval [CI]) increased with level of acculturation— 1.71 (95% CI, 1.31–2.23), 1.63 (95% CI, 1.11–2.39), and 2.05 (95% CI, 1.27–3.29) for scores of 1, 2, and 3, respectively. This association persisted after further adjustment for body mass index (BMI), total dietary calories, and physical inactivity.

Conclusion

Acculturation was associated with a higher risk of diabetes among US Latinos, and this risk was only partly explained by BMI and weight-related behaviors. Future research should examine the bio-behavioral mechanisms that underlie the relationship between acculturation and diabetes in Latinos.

Diabetes risk in older Mexican Americans: effects of language acculturation, generation and socioeconomic status

The effect of language acculturation, socioeconomic status (SES), and immigrant generation on development of diabetes among Mexican Americans was evaluated in the Hispanic Established Population for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly (HEPESE). HEPESE is a longitudinal cohort study of 3,050 non-institutionalized Mexican Americans aged 65 years at baseline (1993-1994) from 5 Southwestern states. Diabetes incidence was ascertained in 4 follow-up surveys to 2004-05 by respondent self-reported physician-diagnosis of diabetes, high blood glucose, or sugar in the urine. Language of interview, immigrant generation, gender, age, education, family history of diabetes, smoking status, alcohol use, health insurance type and self-reported height and weight were assessed. High socioeconomic status (SES) was defined by high school graduation and non-Medicaid insurance. Cox's proportional hazards models were fit to evaluate the effects of language acculturation, generation and SES on incident diabetes. 845 of 3,050 (27.7%) Mexican Americans had diabetes at baseline and were younger, more educated, and more likely to have health insurance than those without diabetes. Risk of developing diabetes increased for Spanish-speaking respondents with low SES from 1st to 3rd generation (HR = 1.76, 95% CI = 1.02-3.03) and from 2nd to 3rd generation (HR = 2.15, 95% CI = 1.20-3.84). Among English-speaking, high SES participants, generation had a protective effect on developing diabetes: HR = 0.45 (95% CI = 0.22-0.91) when comparing 3rd versus 1st generation. The effect of language acculturation and immigrant generation on incident diabetes is moderated by SES status in HEPESE participants.