Why does immigrant health become worse after moving to the US?

Question

The New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene released a study that found that most immigrants that arrive in NYC are healthier than native born New Yorkers--but after a few years the immigrant's health declines. Any thoughts?

Answer 1

It has to do with our lifestyle here in America. We have a poor diet and this country rates among the highest in obesity rates and all the problems associated with that. We also do have a sedentary lifestyle.

When I visited Mexico City, this summer, I was surprised to find very few obese or overweight people there. Their diet was much better than ours, I visited quite a few restaurants and the food was not processed, like it is here.

They also walk a lot more then we do. Since most don't own a car, many have to walk and take buses to where they are going. I don't think it has to do with pollution, since Mexico City is one of the most polluted cities in the world.

Answer 2

Yes (I have thoughts). Recently The New York Times published a series of articles about diabetes in NYC. It mentioned the fact that it is particularly pronounced among Asians immigrants or there descendants. One hypothesis is that they come from a culture in which diets are naturally low calorie and low fat and, therefore don't have "cultural defense" against the high fat and calorie food they encounter in NYC.

On top of that, I imagine that the same is true even with Latin immigrants. Compounded with that, these immigrants are poor, for the most part, and healthy food in the US (at least in NYC) is limited to the wealthy only.

Answer 3

I think it's a change of environment, different water, the air quality in NY is probably one of the worst in the nation (maybe globally) and alot of immigrants come from warmer countries. I had a friend who came from the Philippines, even in the summer time she was cold, and in the winter she would always be sick. (that was in Illinois)

~for Bunt~ honey if you don't like the food here, you can always go back to your home country, nobody is stopping you from leaving. (need help buying a plane ticket??)

Answer 4

Because the food here is horrible. I try to shop at "organic" stores like Whole Foods but you can never have full control over what exactly comes to your stomach.
US foods are sugary, genetically modified crap. Sugar is in bread(ew!), meat, snacks...What it does to a body is...it makes you always hungry for more. It's an addiction. So you snack and snack(more sugar), gain weight and get sick...
I'm not obese like most Americans, but I would have been if I hadn't rejected some foods from my diet. The irony is...poorer countries have much better foods than US.

Answer 5

NYC is rated in F in air quality by the EPA the affects of pollution on their body destroy the health

Answer 6

Gee, I don't know. The illegal ones might want to take it to heart, though.


Actually, I suspect they become more sedentary and have too much access to fast food, just like the rest of us.

Answer 7

buddy did you not watch that move super size me that your answer you guy are the fattest county in the world!!!!!!!!!!!!(TO MUCH FASTFOOD) not enough home cooking.since you americans have been living here you guys are already use to this life style and when new people come to this country there not use to the fastfoods.

Answer 8

I only believe in science.

Answer 9

bullshit ! and if they think that they need to run on, run on , lol all the way back to healthy mexico ,stop really am laughing to hard .

Answer 10

its called free health care.