Insights from a cross-sectional binational study comparing obesity among nonimmigrant Colombians in their home country and Colombian immigrants in the U.S.

BACKGROUND

Latinos in the United States (U.S.) represent a heterogeneous minority population disproportionally impacted by obesity. Colombians in the U.S. are routinely combined with other South Americans in most obesity studies. Moreover, most studies among Latino immigrants in the U.S. solely focus on factors in the destination context, which largely ignores the prevalence of obesity and contextual factors in their country of origin, and warrant transnational investigations.

METHODS

Using 2013-17 data from the New York City Community Health Survey (NYC CHS, U.S.) and the National Survey of the Nutritional Situation (ENSIN, Colombia), Colombians that immigrated to the U.S. and are living in NYC (n = 503) were compared to nonimmigrant Colombians living in their home country (n = 98,829). Prevalence ratios (PR) for obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m) by place of residence were estimated using multivariable logistic regression adjusting for socio-demographic characteristics and daily consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages.

RESULTS

The prevalence of obesity was 49% greater for immigrant Colombians living in NYC when compared to nonimmigrant Colombians living in in their home country (PR = 1.49; 95% CI 1.08, 2.07). Colombian immigrant men in NYC were 72% more likely to have obesity compared to nonimmigrant men living in their home country (PR = 1.72; 95% CI 1.03, 2.87). No significant differences were found in the adjusted models among women.

CONCLUSIONS

Colombian immigrants in NYC exhibit a higher prevalence of obesity compared to their nonimmigrant counterparts back home and sex strengthens this relationship. More obesity research is needed to understand the immigration experience of Colombians in the U.S. and the underlying mechanisms for sex difference. Public health action focused on women in Colombia and both Colombian men and women immigrants in the U.S. is warranted to avert the long-term consequences of obesity.