October Question 2
Question 2: Greater acculturation was associated with a higher BMI in both studies. Why would living in the United States for a longer period of time cause BMI to elevate?
posted by Jennifer Vassiliou @ 1:31 PM
14 comments
14 Comments:
Living in the United States longer may contribute to a person's weight status because of the availability of unhealthy options here in the US. They are used to eating fast foods, bigger portions, and fried foods like we have here in the US, so they are less likely to change their diet. If a person lives here for only a short time, they have not become accustomed to the larger portions and unhealthy options. US is also known for a lack of physical activity, with elevators, escalators, cars, etc. everywhere. A person may not be in the habit of exercising so therefore their BMI would be higher.
It's a proven fact that environment strongly influences obesity. Unfortunately, many American's live very sedentary lives yet chose to indulge in high fat, high calorie foods at practically every meal. The introduction of fast food to the restaurant industry resulted in a fast-food craze and competition between franchises. This competition ultimately led to more fried-food offerings and increased portion sizes. As a result too often Americans eat out, consume large meals and high-fat foods, and put taste and convenience ahead of nutrition. In addition, highly refined, processed foods are often times less expensive than produce, dairy and/or lean cuts of meat. Ultimately, little to no physical activity in conjunction with a high caloric intake would most likely result in weight gain and therefore a higher BMI.
In the United States we are a land of plenty and the bigger the better. Portion sizes and the availabity of high fat foods is huge. I believe that in the United States we are of the midset that we live to eat and not eat to live. With all the convienience foods it makes it easier for individuals to get food at any point. For individuals who may come from a country with not some many options available and at their fingertips it can be quit and change for them. In addition, in some cultures it is important that you finish what is on your plate. If individuals are going and getting their meals out at a restaurant, they are more than likely overeating (portion sizes being double what they should be).
As the other girls mentioned, the availability of high fat, high calorie foods in the US in undeniable. If a person had more acculturation in the US, then they are more likely to be indulging in the many fast food options, which are probably much more calorie dense than what they are used to in their own culture since our portions sizes are generally out of control. Not only do we have a wide range of fat and calorie dense foods at our finger tips, but it is also extremely affordable. So, a person who has migrated to America and is trying to make ends meet is probably going to be taking advantage of the huge portions for small prices which may lead to increased BMI.
You girls have hit the main points already. Becoming more accultured to large serving sizes, processed/ready-to-eat food options, and reduced physical exertion will definately increase an immigrant's (or a US citizen's) BMI in a heartbeat. Additionally, for those of you who haven't responded yet, think about other lifestyle changes linked to dietary habits that might occur when relocating to a new, more industrialized country.
The typical US diet has become consumed with fast food, high fat, high sodium, low fruit and vegetables, and low fiber. In other words, unhealthy. The longer they live in this country, the more of these bad habits they are likely to adopt, causing the weight gain.
Anna and Steph,
Good point about the lack of physical activity as well! That is definitely contributing to weight gain for those coming to the US (just like the rest of the population!).
The longer that you are living in a country, the more likely it is that you are starting to live more by the culture of that country and less by your native culture. Unfortunately, the culture in the US is one that promotes higher BMIs through unhealthy eating habits as well as undesirable levels of physical activity. Thus, the longer a person lives in the US, the more likely they are to have elevated BMIs due to the adoption of the not as healthy culture of the United States versus their home country.
Anna and Shelby,
I love the way you worded a couple of your statements. Anna, when you said, "Americans...put taste and convenience ahead of nutrition," I think you hit the nail on the head and summed up in just a few short words why obesity is so prevalent in the US. Shelby, great insight about how Americans traditionally "live to eat and not eat to live." Nice points ladies!
A combination of several factors could have been the cause of this. We all know very well that the current typical American lifestyle is far from acceptable. An increase in convenience foods, the cheaper prices of unhealthy foods, and the lack of physical activity are likely the main causes. Coupling these factors with the assumption that many immigrants probably have a hard time understanding how to eat a healthy balanced American diet explains why obesity rates are so high.
Historically, humans have always lived in groups that tend to act like eachother. You guys have all already hit on the obvious reasons for increasing BMI's in this country: availability of high-fat, high-calorie foods, lives of convenience, availability of large portion sizes, but I have to ask: why assimilate? If you are brought up one way, and you witness the previous generations of your own family living longer and healthier than Americans, why assimilate to the American way? Why not stick closer to your own cultural norms? I think that generally people want to fit into the groups they find themselves surrounded by. Unfortunately, we as a group have very poor habits in this country.
Another reason that the longer you are here the greater a person's BMI becomes may have to do with generational differences too...the first generation of a family that comes to live here may not adopt our habits completely as they are the ones who know their own culture and miss it...they may tend to be the ones who still prepare the traditional dishes, etc. The next generation, though, may have lost touch with the practices from the old country and simply want to be like their peers here...the longer a family is here the worse their weight status may become.
Erin,
I think it's not so easy to just decide that you won't assimilate. First, I don't think people are very well able to stand outside themselves or their experience and recognize that adopting certain habits may have a negative impact on health or life or whatever....also, I've observed firsthand how children want - more than anything - to be like the kids around them. When my boys were small and we lived in England it took them all of 2 weeks to adopt full-fledged British accents. It was incredible and the most amazing part of it was that they had absolutely no idea at all that they were doing it! Children are a powerful influence in families and I think it would be hugely difficult to move here and say to them "now that we are here we won't be like the people who live here"...I don't mean to say that you couldn't or shouldn't try to maintain some of your previous culture and identity (I actually think that it's important) but doing so can be very isolating. This is an interesting dilemma.
Melissa -
Yes, the amount of fat and calorie dense foods in our country is out of control. The fact that these foods are so affordable and easily accessible really fuels the problem. In addition, I think that Americans consume way to many simple carbs. These foods give us quick energy and are easy to overeat, so we consume too many calories and don't have a chance to tap into our fat stores for energy. Things definitely need to change.
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