Acculturation stress and allostatic load among Mexican immigrant women. / Estresse de aculturação e carga alostática entre mulheres imigrantes mexicanas.

OBJECTIVES: this case-control study compared levels of stress and allostatic load (AL) among Mexican women in the US ( n =19) and Mexico ( n = 40). METHOD: measures of stress included the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Hispanic Women's Social Stressor Scale (HWSSS). A composite measure of 8 indicators of AL (systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio, total cholesterol, glycated hemoglobin (hemoglobin A1C), triglycerides and C-reactive protein) was calculated. RESULTS: there were no significant group differences in AL between Mexican and Mexican immigrant women ( t = 1.55, p = .126). A principal component factor analysis was conducted on the 8 AL indicators; a 2-factor solution explained 57% of the variance. Group differences in the two AL factors were analyzed using MANOVA. BMI and waist-to-hip ratios were lower, but blood pressure and triglycerides were higher in the US group and were mediated by time in the US. Greater acculturation stress was significantly related to increased waist-to-hip ratio ( r = .57, p = .02). FINAL REMARKS: findings suggest some measures of AL increased with time in the US, and acculturation stress may be a significant factor.

Estresse de aculturação e carga alostática entre mulheres imigrantes mexicanas / Acculturation stress and allostatic load among Mexican immigrant women / Estrés aculturativo y carga alostática en las mujeres inmigrantes mexicanas

Objetivos este estudo de caso-controle comparou os níveis de estresse e carga alostática (CA) entre mulheres mexicanas nos EUA ( n = 19) e no México ( n = 40). Método medidas de estresse incluíram a Escala de Estresse Percebido (EEP) e a Escala de Estresse Social das Mulheres Hispânicas (EESMH). Uma medida composta por 8 indicadores de CA (pressão arterial sistólica e diastólica, índice de massa corporal (IMC), relação cintura-quadril, colesterol total, hemoglobina glicada (hemoglobina A1C), triglicerídeos e proteína C-reativa) foi calculada. Resultados não houve diferenças significativas entre os grupos na CA entre mulheres mexicanas imigrantes e não imigrantes ( t = 1,55, p = 0,126). Uma análise fatorial de componentes principais foi realizada nos 8 indicadores de CA; uma solução de 2 fatores explicou 57% da variância. As diferenças entre grupo nos dois fatores CA foram analisadas usando MANOVA. O IMC e a relação cintura-quadril foram menores, mas a pressão arterial e os triglicerídeos foram maiores no grupo dos EUA e foram mediados pelo tempo nos EUA. O maior estresse de aculturação foi significativamente relacionado ao aumento da relação cintura-quadril ( r = 0,57, p = 0,02). Considerações finais os resultados sugerem que algumas medidas de CA aumentam com o tempo nos EUA e o estresse de aculturação pode ser um fator significativo.

Objectives this case-control study compared levels of stress and allostatic load (AL) among Mexican women in the US ( n =19) and Mexico ( n = 40). Method measures of stress included the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Hispanic Women's Social Stressor Scale (HWSSS). A composite measure of 8 indicators of AL (systolic and diastolic blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio, total cholesterol, glycated hemoglobin (hemoglobin A1C), triglycerides and C-reactive protein) was calculated. Results there were no significant group differences in AL between Mexican and Mexican immigrant women ( t = 1.55, p = .126). A principal component factor analysis was conducted on the 8 AL indicators; a 2-factor solution explained 57% of the variance. Group differences in the two AL factors were analyzed using MANOVA. BMI and waist-to-hip ratios were lower, but blood pressure and triglycerides were higher in the US group and were mediated by time in the US. Greater acculturation stress was significantly related to increased waist-to-hip ratio ( r = .57, p = .02). Final remarks findings suggest some measures of AL increased with time in the US, and acculturation stress may be a significant factor.

Objetivos este estudio de casos y controles ha comparado los niveles de estrés y carga alostática (CA) en mujeres mexicanas en los EE.UU. ( n = 19) y México ( n = 40). Método las medidas de estrés incluyeron la Escala de Estrés Percibido (EEP) y la Escala de Estrés Social de las Mujeres Hispanas (HWSSS, por sus siglas en inglés). Se calculó una medida compuesta de 8 indicadores de CA (presión arterial sistólica, presión arterial diastólica, índice de masa corporal (IMC), relación cintura/cadera, colesterol total, hemoglobina glicosilada (HbA1c), triglicéridos, y proteína C reactiva). Resultados no hubo diferencias significativas de CA entre los grupos de mujeres mexicanas e inmigrantes mexicanas ( t = 1,55, p = 0,126). Se realizó un análisis factorial de componente principal de los 8 indicadores de CA; una solución de 2 factores explicó el 57% de la varianza. Las diferencias de grupo en los dos factores de CA se analizaron utilizando MANOVA. El IMC y la relación cintura/cadera disminuyeron, pero la presión arterial y los triglicéridos aumentaron en el grupo de los EE.UU. y estuvieron influenciados por el tiempo de residencia en los EE.UU. Un mayor estrés aculturativo se relacionó significativamente con el aumento de la relación cintura/cadera (r = 0,57, p = 0,02). Comentarios finales los hallazgos sugieren que algunas medidas de CA aumentan con el tiempo de residencia en los EE.UU. y el estrés aculturativo puede ser un factor importante.

Parks as Social and Cultural Spaces Among U.S.- and Foreign-Born Latinas.

Parks provide opportunities for people to engage in activities that can promote physical and emotional well-being. Using focus groups and personal interviews conducted in select neighborhoods of a Northeastern city with a high rate of obesity, we examined perceptions of barriers and facilitators regarding the use of parks and park features that would promote physical activity among Latina women ( N = 39). Foreign-born Latinas emphasized the environmental characteristics of parks and the types of amenities that can support preferred cultural and social activities, while U.S.-born Latinas emphasized the use of parks for physical activity and weight management. Most striking were the different ways in which foreign-born participants conceptualized parks as sociocultural family centers, extending more common conceptualizations centered on exercise or individual health gain. These findings suggest the need for new policies that incorporate culturally specific park programming to promote national goals of increasing levels of physical activity for health.

Delivery of culturally competent care to children with cancer and their families--the Latino experience.

This article discusses selected cultural factors such as language and interpretation services, beliefs, health care practices, and communication styles of Latino families that can increase and enhance the ability of nurses to work with a child with cancer and his or her family. Suggestions for research and clinical intervention are presented.

Barriers to preventive health care for young children.

PURPOSE: To review the literature on barriers to availability, access, and utilization of preventive health care for young children three to five years of age and their families and to discuss the role of nurse practitioners (NPs) in future research, education, and practice in this area. DATA SOURCES: A comprehensive literature search was conducted of online material and CINAHL and Medline (CD-ROM 1990 to present). In addition, experts in this area were asked to recommend extra reading materials. Additional references in textbooks and articles were examined. CONCLUSIONS: The literature review supports that there are major barriers to be addressed in the areas of availability, access, and utilization of preventive health care services for young children and their families. Major concerns include mandatory system for preventative health care, lack of health insurance coverage, cultural issues, and parental effects. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Health professionals in the community will need to work together to reevaluate current preventive health care practices for young children. Alternative methods for approaching and providing preventive health care services may become increasingly important if these services for young children are to be provided at current or increased levels.