HHS HealthBeat (April 25, 2012)

Changing over the generations

From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I’m Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.

A study finds Mexican-American teens weigh more if they are second or third generation than if they are first generation in the United States. Researcher Jihong Liu of the University of South Carolina saw this in national survey data on 2,300 Mexican-Americans between 12 and 18 years old.

Liu thinks they’ve changed over generations from traditional Mexican eating patterns to American eating patterns:  

“Compared with the first generation, the second and third generation has a poor dietary quality. They consumed significantly less fruit, vegetables, and meat and beans.” (10 seconds)

The study in the Journal of Nutrition was supported by HHS’ Health Resources and Services Administration.

Learn more at healthfinder.gov.

HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I’m Ira Dreyfuss.

Last revised: April 25, 2012