Association of acculturation and socioeconomic status with health status and nutrition behavior in adolescent females

Background. Immigrant populations are growing in the United States. These populations experience a process of acculturation and are often of low socioeconomic status (SES). Both factors can affect health status, health behavior, and possibly outcomes to programs designed for improving health.; Purpose. Present studies were conducted in a sample of Asian and Mexican American adolescent females, mostly from low-income families, living in urban Sacramento, California in order to (1) validate the use of acculturation scales as for measuring acculturation in this sample; (2) document the effects of socioeconomic status (SES) and acculturation on health status; and (3) determine if SES and acculturation affect response to a nutrition education behavior intervention.; Methods. One hundred and forty-four sixth grade subjects were enrolled in Adequate Calcium Today. Assessments, carried out at baseline, 12-months, and 18-months, included weight and height measurements, dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) to determine percent body fat (%BF) and bone mineral density (BMD), calcium intake by computerized calcium-specific food frequency, and calcium attitude determination. SES was determined by participation in school free/reduced meal program (FRMP). Modified versions of two acculturation scales were administered: The Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican Americans-II (ARSMA-II), by Cuellar et al., was administered at baseline and 12-months; the Acculturation Habits Scale for Multi-ethnic Adolescents (AHISMA), by Unger et al., was administered at 18-months.; Results. Both modified scales were acceptable tools to measure acculturation. The majority of the sample was either "assimilated" or "integrated." Approximately 70% of the sample was 2nd generation and 82% were FRMP participants.; The Mexican American group was taller, had higher %BF, BMI (kg/m 2), and was more frequently overweight than the Asian group. In Asians, %BF was inversely associated with income level.; Baseline calcium intake decreased with higher U.S. generation. Generation and English use were positively correlated with calcium attitude improvement following intervention exposure. Low income inhibited intervention BMD response in Asians.; Conclusion. Longer U.S. residence may inhibit calcium intake. Both low acculturation and low income may inhibit response to nutrition education interventions. Health programs targeting these populations must be sensitive to these characteristics in order to maximize effectiveness.