Testing the Epidemiologic Paradox of Low Birth Weight in Latinos

Article Abstract:

Latina women seem to be at lower risk of having low-birthweight babies than white women, even though they are economically less advantaged. Generally, low socioeconomic class is associated with low birthweight, yet Latina women seen to defy this pattern. Researchers examined birth records of 395,000 infants born in California to identify factors contributing to this "Latino paradox." Latinas were younger, less educated, and received poorer prenatal care than white women, but they were less likely to smoke. No clear factors explaining the paradox were apparent, but Latinas may eat more nutritious diets and benefit from social and cultural advantages favoring healthy pregnancy and childbirth.

United States

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Low birth weight and Latino ethnicity: examining the epidemiologic paradox

Article Abstract:

Latino and white women have similar rates of low-birth-weight (LBW) babies, despite lower socioeconomic status and less prenatal care among Latinos. As these factors generally are associated with poorer health, this pattern has been described as an epidemiologic paradox. Researchers reviewed 32 large studies and found that Puerto Rican women have a greater rate of LBW babies. Women who retain a Mexican cultural orientation have half the rate of LBW babies as Mexican women acculturated to the US. Maternal nutrition and other cultural factors may influence birthweight differently across ethnic groups.

Puerto Rican women

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Maternal Birthplace, Ethnicity, and Low Birth Weight in California

Article Abstract:

More research is needed to determine why foreign-born Hispanic women have lower rates of low birth weight than US-born Hispanic women. An analysis of the birth records of 497 868 infants born in California in 1992 found that foreign-born Hispanic women had lower rates of low birth weight than US-born Hispanic women even though they were more likely to have risk factors for low birth weight. This difference between foreign-born and US-born women was not seen in black women or Asian women.

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