Changes in fat but not fruit and vegetable intakes linked with body weight change in Mexican women immigrants in Quebec

Elsa-Patricia Olivares-Navarrete, Anne-Marie Hamelin, Hélène Jacques
2013 Health (Irvine, Calif.)  
The objective of the present study was to identify dietary parameters for predicting body weight change (∆BW) in Mexican-born women (Mexicans) following immigration to Quebec City, Canada. Methods: Changes in fruit (∆F), vegetable (∆V), fruit and vegetable (∆FV), and fat (∆Fat) intake were assessed according to post-immigration periods (1 -5 years, 6 -10 years, 11 -20 years) using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Anthropometric measures were also conducted in 87 Mexicans (study group) and
more » ... 8 native-born Quebecers (comparison group) aged 18 -65 years. Associations were calculated using full and partial robust regression models adjusting for potential confounders (origin, education, income, age, length of residence in Quebec City). Results: There was no difference in ∆BW between the groups. Body weight (BW) increased significantly in both Mexican (5.5 ± 0.9 kg, P < 0.0001) and Quebec women (4.7 ± 0.8 kg, P < 0.0001). ∆BW was positively correlated with ∆Fat (β = 0.03, P = 0.003), but not correlated with origin, ∆F, or ∆V. ∆BW was negatively associated with education (β = -4.33, P = 0.007) and positively associated with length of residence (β = 0.3, P = 0.003). Partial models indicated ∆F (β = -1.35, P < 0.0001), ∆V (β = -1.04, P = 0.0001), and ∆FV (β = -2.27, P < 0.0001) were associated with origin, whereas net annual household income (β = 0.16, P = 0.04) was positively associated with ∆Fat. Conclusions: Change in body weight could be predicted by length of residence, education, and change in fat intake in Mexican immigrant women and native-born Quebecers whereas changes in fruit and vegetable intakes could be predicted by Mexican or Quebec origin.
doi:10.4236/health.2013.57a4008 fatcat:ecxrmopasvhsnjjbc2zpe66v2m