Mia's Feed
Medical News & Research

Higher Obesity Rates Among U.S.-Born Latino Youth Compared to Foreign-Born Latino and White Peers

Higher Obesity Rates Among U.S.-Born Latino Youth Compared to Foreign-Born Latino and White Peers

Share this article

A recent study highlights that U.S.-born Latino children face higher obesity risks compared to foreign-born Latino and white peers, emphasizing the need for culturally tailored interventions in primary care.

2 min read

Recent research indicates that childhood obesity rates vary significantly among different ethnic and nativity groups, with U.S.-born Latino children exhibiting higher obesity prevalence than their foreign-born counterparts and non-Hispanic white children. Despite the recognition that ethnicity influences childhood obesity, there has been limited data focusing on the impact of nativity—whether children are U.S.-born or foreign-born—particularly within primary care settings.

A comprehensive study published in The Annals of Family Medicine analyzed electronic health records (EHR) from community health centers across 21 states between 2012 and 2020. The study included data from 147,376 children aged 9 to 17 who visited over 1,300 health centers. Researchers categorized the children into three groups: foreign-born Latino, U.S.-born Latino, and non-Hispanic white, assessing obesity status during multiple visits to identify trends over time.

The findings revealed that U.S.-born Latino children consistently had higher odds of being obese compared to non-Hispanic white children across all time periods, with adjusted odds ratios ranging from 1.33 to 1.48. Conversely, foreign-born Latino children did not show a significant difference in obesity rates compared to white peers. Overall, obesity prevalence increased across all groups from 2012 to 2020.

These findings underscore the importance for primary care practitioners to consider patients' cultural and nativity backgrounds when developing strategies for obesity prevention and management. Tailoring approaches to address specific needs of different groups could be vital in combating childhood obesity effectively.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-born-latinos-higher-obesity-foreign.html

Stay Updated with Mia's Feed

Get the latest health & wellness insights delivered straight to your inbox.

How often would you like updates?

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.

Related Articles

Breakthrough Clinical Trial Shows Therapeutic Plasma Exchange Can Rejuvenate Biological Age

A groundbreaking clinical trial reveals that therapeutic plasma exchange combined with IVIG can reduce biological age by over two years, highlighting new potential for aging interventions and longevity research.

Early Detection of West Nile Virus in Massachusetts Raises Public Health Alerts

Massachusetts reports early detection of West Nile virus in mosquitoes, prompting health advisories and preventive actions for residents to reduce mosquito bites and disease risk.

Impact of Vape Liquid Exposure in Utero on Fetal Skull Development

New studies suggest that non-nicotine vaping liquids may alter fetal skull development, raising concerns about safety during pregnancy. Research on mice shows narrower skulls and facial features in offspring exposed in utero.