Hunger and health among undocumented Mexican migrants in a US urban area

Public Health Nutrition

Arijit Nandi¹  Danielle Ompad¹  Stacey Strongarone¹  Gerald Lopez¹  Sandro Galea¹  Craig Hadley¹  Vijay Nandi¹ 

关键词: Food insecurity;    Immigrants;    Food insufficiency;    Acculturation;   

DOI  :  10.1017/S1368980007000407

学科分类：卫生学

来源: Cambridge University Press

【 摘 要 】

ObjectivesTo measure the occurrence and correlates of hunger and to evaluate the association between hunger and three health indicators among undocumented Mexican immigrants.DesignNon-probability cross-sectional sample.SettingNeighbourhoods within New York City.SubjectsFour hundred and thirty-one undocumented Mexican immigrants living in the USA.ResultsHunger was indicated by approximately 28% of respondents. In a multivariate model, working as a day labourer was associated with hunger (odds ratio (OR) 3.33, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.83–6.06) while receiving public assistance protected against hunger (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.06–0.88). In multivariate models, respondents who reported experiencing hunger also reported poorer overall health (OR 1.69, 95% CI 0.95–3.02) and more days of poor mental (P = 0.045) and physical health (P < 0.0001). Greater amount of time lived in the USA was also associated with worse overall health (P = 0.054) and more days of poor mental and physical health (P < 0.01).ConclusionsThe present study shows that food insecurity and hunger may be problems among undocumented migrants living in the USA. Uncertain and unpredictable work schedules and limited access to public assistance may contribute to high levels of hunger, which in turn may also negatively affect mental and physical health. Increasing amount of time lived in the USA is also associated with poorer health indicators. Programmes that provide undocumented migrants with emergency access to resources may reduce food insecurity and lead to improved health outcomes among this vulnerable population.

【 授权许可】

Unknown