258680 Psychological acculturation and cancer-related metabolic risk factors in overweight/obese Latino youth

Wednesday, October 31, 2012 : 10:30 AM - 10:50 AM

Rebecca Hasson, PhD , Schools of Kinesiology and Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Rian Hasson, MD , Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
Tanja Adam, PhD , Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Jay Pearson, PhD, MPH , Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Jaimie Davis, PhD , Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Donna Spruijt-Metz , Institute For Prevention Research, University of Southern California, Alhambra, CA
Michael Goran, PhD , Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
     
Background: Overweight, obesity and low-grade inflammation are linked to increased risk for certain cancers including: breast, colorectal, and prostate. It is unclear whether psychological acculturation is associated with low-grade inflammation in overweight/obese Latino youth. The primary aim of this study was to examine the relationships between psychological acculturation and low-grade inflammation in Latino children and adolescents. Methods: A convenience sample of 64 overweight/obese Latino boys and girls aged 8-18 years living in the greater Los Angeles area were included in this analysis. Psychological acculturation was assessed using the Acculturation, Habits, and Interests Multicultural Scale for Adolescents (AHIMSA) questionnaire. Inflammatory markers measured included: interleukin-8, leptin, tumor necrosis factor- alpha, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), nerve growth factor (NGF), adiponectin, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and resistin. Results: Integration (the ability to combine aspects of their own family's culture with aspects of mainstream American culture) was positively associated with PAI-1 (a marker of angiogenesis; r=0.27, p<0.05). Marginalization (alienation from both cultures) was positively associated with HGF (a marker of tumor cell proliferation r=0.32, p<0.05) and negatively associated with PAI-1 (r=-0.30, p<0.05) and adiponectin (a marker of cell proliferation; r=-0.33, p<0.05). Conclusions: Psychological acculturation appears to play distinct roles in cancer-related markers of inflammation in overweight/obese Latino youth. Specifically, the adaptive socio-cultural style of integrating into mainstream American culture and/or becoming marginalized from both cultures was associated with increased low-grade inflammation. Behavioral interventions and public policies are needed to better address the increased cancer risk associated with psychological acculturation in Latino youth.

Learning Areas:
Basic medical science applied in public health
Chronic disease management and prevention
Diversity and culture
Public health biology
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Identify social-contextual factors associated with increased long-term cancer risk in obese Latino youth.

Keywords: Children and Adolescents, Obesity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: my previous and current research focuses on: identifying biological risk factors that contribute to racial/ethnic disparities in obesity-related metabolic diseases; developing behavioral intervention strategies that improve obesity-related metabolic risk factors; and examining the social-contextual factors that contribute to racial/ethnic disparities in obesity-related metabolic diseases.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 5114.0: Latino Cancer Research jointly presented by the Cancer Forum and the Latino Caucus