Exploring U.S. Hispanic parents' length of time in the United States: Influences on obesity outcomes among U.S. Hispanic children

Children's longitudinal bodyweight in Australia: Influence of migrant mothers' long-term residency, attachment to, and level of childhood overweight in country-of-birth

Immigration creates opportunities and imposes constraints associated with acculturation. We used the Australian national longitudinal survey of children aged 2 to 17 to evaluate the influence of mothers' long-term residency in Australia, mothers' attachment to country-of-birth, and macro indicators of childhood overweight environment at mothers' country-of-birth on children's longitudinal bodyweight. Both mothers' long-term exposure to the Australian environment and attachment to country-of-birth were associated with increased children's bodyweight z-scores. The childhood overweight environment in mothers' country-of-birth continued to influence their children's bodyweight after immigration. A better understanding of factors related to mothers' migration and children's bodyweight status is necessary to identify risk factors and migrant sub-groups needing extra support.

Consideration of Factors Influencing Weight Outcomes among U.S. Racial-Ethnic Minority Populations in the Social Work Literature

OBJECTIVE

This study explores the social work profession's empirical contribution to addressing factors influencing overweight and obesity outcomes among racial-ethnic minority populations in the United States. The high prevalence of obesity in U.S. adults and children, particularly in racial/ethnic minority populations, continues to be an important public health issue. The African American Collaborative Obesity Research Network (AACORN) Expanded Obesity Research Paradigm was used to assess the studies. Constructs in this paradigm identify conceptual and multilevel influences on obesity offering social work practitioners a comprehensive understanding of obesity-related factors in populations of color: cultural and psychosocial processes, historical and social contexts, and physical and economic environments.

METHODS

A systematic search of obesity-related, social work studies providing data for U.S. racial/ethnic minority populations was conducted in March through July 2013 with updated searches in February 2016 and July 2017.

FINDINGS

Identified studies were mostly cross-sectional, offering only a snapshot of factors associated with obesity among racial-ethnic minority populations. Articles addressing factors contributing to overweight/obesity were more likely to discuss cultural and psychosocial features and provided limited information about health behaviors embedded in the daily lives of racial-ethnic groups affecting obesity.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Given that social workers' interactions with clients occur in a variety of social services settings, they are in a unique position to assist with developing strategies for facilitating obesity prevention integrating conceptual features outlined by the AACORN paradigm. Practice and policy implications are discussed for social work professionals employed in community settings.

Infant Feeding Beliefs, Attitudes, Knowledge and Practices of Chinese Immigrant Mothers: An Integrative Review of the Literature

Chinese are a fast-growing immigrant population group in several parts of the world (e.g., Australia, Canada, Europe, Southeast Asia, United States). Research evidence suggests that compared to non-Hispanic whites, individuals of Asian-origin including Chinese are at higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes at a lower body mass index (BMI). These risks may be possibly due to genetic differences in body composition and metabolic responses. Despite the increasing numbers of Chinese children growing up in immigrant families and the increasing prevalence of obesity among Chinese, little research has been focused on children of Chinese immigrant families. This integrative review synthesizes the evidence on infant feeding beliefs, attitudes, knowledge and practices of Chinese immigrant mothers; highlights limitations of available research; and offers suggestions for future research. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we searched four electronic academic/research databases (CINAHL, Medline, PsycINFO, and PubMed) to identify peer-reviewed, full-text papers published in English between January 2000 and September 2017. Only studies with mothers 18+ years old of normally developing infants were included. Of the 797 citations identified, 15 full-text papers were retrieved and 11 studies (8 cross-sectional studies, 3 qualitative studies) met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Reviewed studies revealed high initiation rates of breastfeeding, but sharp declines in breastfeeding rates by six months of age. In addition, reviewed studies revealed that the concomitantly use of breast milk and formula, and the early introduction of solid foods were common. Finally, reviewed studies identified several familial and socio-cultural influences on infant feeding beliefs and practices that may increase risk of overweight and obesity during infancy and early childhood among Chinese children of immigrant families. Nonetheless, as only 11 studies were identified and because the majority of studies (n = 8) were conducted in Australia, additional research including longitudinal studies, and studies conducted in countries with large Chinese immigrant population are needed to further identify and understand influences on Chinese immigrant mothers' beliefs, attitudes, and practices related to infant feeding that may increase risk of child overweight and obesity. This information is needed to develop interventions tailored to the beliefs and needs of this fast-growing immigrant group and aimed at promoting healthy infant feeding practices to prevent childhood overweight and obesity.