An evaluation of the associations between socioeconomic status and the growth of Mexican-American children: data from the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (HHANES 1982-1984)

Article Abstract:

Several studies, including HHANES (the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey), have shown that Mexican-American children tend to be shorter and heavier than white or black children. Detailed studies are needed to identify the causes for these differences, which are not adequately explained by the poverty experienced by many Mexican-American families. An unweighted analysis of data from HHANES has shown that poverty explained height for children from 2 to 11 years, but from 12 to 17 years, ethnicity explained stature. In addition, Mexican-American children were found to be heavier at all ages. Weighted population estimates from HHANES have been compared with those for white and black children from the Second National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES II), and have been further examined for influences of socioeconomic status. The analysis, disagreeing with unweighted data analyses, showed that poverty was not associated with stature in Mexican-American children. Poverty was associated with one finding, however; skinfolds (an indicator of body fat levels) were thicker in poor Mexican-American girls aged 13 to 18 years. When poverty status was held constant, Mexican-American children were shorter than white or black children, especially at older ages. Other studies suggest that this finding is related more to genetic than environmental factors. Mexican-American children were heavier than white and black children, except for nonpoor Mexican-American and black children. However, the results do not support development of a separate growth chart (showing standards for normal growth) for Mexican-American children, since the differences in measurements are not known to be genetically determined. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Children

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The Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (HHANES 1982-1984): background and introduction

Article Abstract:

The Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (HHANES) is the outcome of an evaluation of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). This evaluation found that the three major Hispanic groups in the United States were too small to be evaluated during the larger, national study. The survey of Hispanic Americans was planned with awareness of cultural and language factors, and was administered by bilingual interviewers. Community leaders were educated about the program so as to improve response. The three subgroups surveyed were Mexican Americans in five Southwestern states, Cubans in Dade County, Florida, and Puerto Ricans in the metropolitan New York City area. This article introduces the results of growth measurements of children and youths by describing the design and analytical issues that were considered for this survey. The issues in survey sampling and analysis are considered. A complex rather than a random sample was used, and results were weighted to produce reliable estimates for the population. Response rates and nonresponse bias were assessed to ensure that results were representative of the population. The results can be used as reference data concerning nutrition, health and illness within the Hispanic populations. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

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Reliability for anthropometric measurements in the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (HHANES 1982-1984)

Article Abstract:

One use of the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (HHANES) was to provide reference data on the growth patterns of Hispanic-American children. Another aim was to determine the prevalence of obesity in Hispanic populations. A major aspect of data collection in this survey was maximizing the accuracy of the measurements, by calibrating equipment carefully, evaluating abnormal variability, and collecting repeated measurements. Determining the origin of errors found in repeated measurements is necessary for correct data interpretation. For most measurements, reliability was as good as for the larger national survey, NHANES. Certain arm and skinfold measurements were not as accurate, and this may have been due to the smaller nature of the survey, or to factors such as the use of multiple trainers to teach measurement techniques. Periodic observations of the trainers and remedial training are recommended for future long-term population-based surveys. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Methods, Anthropometry

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