Research has shown that health outcomes are not always better for Mexicans after immigrating to the U.S. What was the impact of acculturation on birth outcomes demonstrated in the research reviewed?

Answer 1

Foreign-born Mexican Americans are found to be healthier overall, to eat slightly better diets, and to have lower rates of infant mortality than U.S.-born Mexican Americans with foreign-born parents and for U.S.-born Mexican Americans with U.S.-born parents—despite higher rates of poverty and less access to medical care. The foreign-born women also demonstrated better birth outcomes and fewer maternal disorders than Mexican American women who were born in the United States.

Research suggests that pregnant, foreign-born Mexican American women behave in ways different from those who are born in the United States. Intake of nutrients, including protein, folate, vitamin C, iron, and zinc, is better; smoking and alcohol consumption rates are substantially lower. Other factors considered important to positive pregnancy outcomes, such as adequate weight gain and prenatal care, are less likely in foreign-born Mexican Americans. Researchers suggest these negatives may be compensated for by greater community, family, and spousal support, and less accumulative acculturation stress.