Nutritional consequences of U.S. migration patterns among Puerto Rican women
Immink, M.-Dc; Sanjur, D.; Burgos, M.
Ecology of food and nutrition 3(3): 139-147
1983
ISSN/ISBN: 0367-0244 DOI: 10.1080/03670244.1983.9990745Document Number: 281799
A study investigated the associations between the US migration status of adult women born in Puerto Rico, and the adequacy of the energy and micro-nutrient intake, macro-nutrient composition of their diets, and the prevalence of obesity. Three migrant groups were compared: non-US migrants, return migrants, and forward migrants. The groups differed in socioeconomic characteristics. Forward migrants had a more adequate energy and micro-nutrient intake than non-and return migrants, even after controlling for socioeconomic variables (income, formal schooling, use of mass media). Return migrants had only higher calcium and vitamin C intakes than non-migrants. Carbohydrates were a more important source of energy for non- and return migrants, while protein and fat were more important sources of energy for forward migrants. The prevalence of obesity was significantly lower among forward migrants than among non- and return migrants. (author)