BACKGROUND Folic acid can prevent up to 70% of neural tube defects (NTDs) if taken before pregnancy. Compared with other race-ethnicities, Hispanic women have higher rates of NTDs, lower rates of folic acid supplement use, and lower total folic acid intakes. OBJECTIVE The objective was to assess potential effects of fortifying corn masa flour with folic acid on Mexican American women and othe...

This study tested a model of shared parenting as its centerpiece that incorporates cultural values as predictors and family emotional climate as the outcome variable of interest. We aimed to assess the predictive power of the Mexican cultural values of familismo and simpatia over couples' shared parenting practices. We anticipated that higher levels of shared parenting would predict family emot...

OBJECTIVE To provide estimates of selected nutrient intakes and chronic health conditions among Mexican-American adults aged 20-74 years in the United States, from 1982 through 2006. METHODS Data on Mexican-American adults come from the following surveys: the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (HHANES, 1982-1984 (n = 3,935)); the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination S...

The acculturation gap-distress model purports that immigrant children acculturate faster than do their parents, resulting in an acculturation gap that leads to family and youth maladjustment. However, empirical support for the acculturation gap-distress model has been inconclusive. In the current study, 428 Mexican-American adolescents (50.2 % female) and their primary caregivers independently ...

BACKGROUND Mexican-American fertility is poorly understood because data limitations prevent researchers from accurately estimating the fertility levels of members of this group and from determining how their fertility changes within and across generations. OBJECTIVE Using binational data and an innovative methodological addressing key methodological limitations, I (1) estimate the fertility of ...

OBJECTIVES To describe the sociodemographic differences among Mexican American children (first, second, and third generation), non-Hispanic black children, and non-Hispanic white children; to compare the health status and health care needs of Mexican American children (first, second, and third generation) with those of non-Hispanic black children and non-Hispanic white children; and to determin...

Mexican-American men experience reduced cardiovascular mortality compared with non-Hispanic white men. There is no corresponding ethnic difference in cardiovascular mortality in women. The difference in men could result either from a lower incidence of cardiovascular disease or a lower case fatality rate among Mexican-Americans. Although the incidence of cardiovascular disease in Mexican-Americ...

INTRODUCTION Hispanics are the fastest growing demographic group in the United States; however, "Hispanic" is a broad term that describes people who are from or whose ancestors are from multiple countries of origin. This study examines, separately, the social, cultural, and behavioral factors associated with overweight and obesity among Mexican American adults and among Central American adults....

OBJECTIVE To study differences in the attitudes of elderly subjects from different ethnic groups toward disclosure of the diagnosis and prognosis of a terminal illness and toward end-of-life decision making. DESIGN Survey. SETTING Thirty-one senior citizen centers within Los Angeles County, California. RESPONDENTS A stratified quota sample of 200 subjects aged 65 years and older self-iden...