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Research

In this research group, we are conducting studies that examine the health, well-being and quality of life in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and among Latinos in the U.S.

Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries are undergoing demographic changes that are occurring at a much faster pace than those experienced by developed countries. As a result, demographic changes related to aging are occurring faster in LAC. In addition, epidemiological and nutritional transitions are also occurring. In recent decades, there has been a shift from infectious and parasitic diseases to noncommunicable and degenerative diseases as leading causes of death. At the same time, dietary intake of foods high in saturated fat and sugar, refined foods, and foods low in fiber have increased. These nutritional changes have important consequences for body composition at the population level and are associated with an increase in prevalence of nutrition-related noncommunicable diseases. Understanding the impact of these transitions on the health and well-being of individuals in LAC has important implications not only for individuals residing in those countries, but also for the Latino population in the U.S.

We assess how these transitions influence the health, well-being and quality of life in LAC and among Latinos in the U.S. To address our research questions, we have been engaged in three interdisciplinary and interrelated lines of research.

Health and aging in Latin America and the Caribbean

In this project, we address whether greater life expectancy is consistent with better health for the expanding elderly population in developing countries. Given that the prevalence of obesity and diabetes is increasing worldwide, the influence of these conditions on life expectancy will undoubtedly grow in the coming decades. However, very few studies focus on health expectancies in LAC. Our research addresses this gap in the extant research.

Up Amigos project in Mexico

In this project, we explore how biological, lifestyle, social, and environmental factors influence the development of obesity and related diseases among Mexican adolescents and young adults. This is a large collaborative interdisciplinary project that involves researchers from the U of I and several collaborators in the colleges of Medicine, Nutrition, Biological Sciences, and Psychology at the University of San Luis Potosí, Mexico. We have been collecting cross-sectional data on about 10,000 college student applicants every year since 2008; we also have an embedded longitudinal cohort.

Weight status Misperception among Mexican Young Adults

My current research on weight status misperception among Mexican young adults has been widely featured in the following publications:

Publications

• http://psychcentral.com/news/2012/04/07/misperception-is-a-barrier-to-weight-loss/37008.html
• http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_20364267/lewis-how-go-from-fat-normal
• http://www.foxbusiness.com/industries/2012/04/11/how-to-go-from-fat-to-normal/
• http://www.stonehearthnewsletters.com/lots-of-us-have-no-idea-what-we-weigh/nutrition/
• http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/243878.php
• http://www.science20.com/news_articles/misperception_and_weight_loss_if_you_dont_think_you_are_fat_you_wont_lose_weight-88751 http://www.learningstewards.org/re-science-2-0-misperception-and-weight-loss-if-you-dont-think-you-are-fat-you-wont-lose-weight/
• http://www.futurity.org/health-medicine/weight-a-mystery-for-college-applicants/
• http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1112510243/admitting-a-weight-problem-is-the-first-step-to-recovery/
• http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-04-09/health/31312393_1_obese-patients-obese-men-weight-loss
• http://www.theatlanticwire.com/technology/2012/04/everyone-thinks-theyre-skinny-cystic-fibrosis-breakthrough/50840/
• http://www.santelog.com/news/nutrition-obesite/obesite-l-ecart-entre-la-perception-et-la-realite-obstacle-majeur-a-la-perte-de-poids_8029_lirelasuite.htm
• http://www.news-medical.net/news/20120406/Obese-men-more-likely-to-underestimate-their-weight-than-women.aspx
• http://www.domain-b.com/technology/Health_Medicine/20120410_misperception_oneView.html

Health and aging among Latinos in the U.S.

This project focuses on the health outcomes and health care access of Latinos in the U.S. The fastest growing ethnic group in the nation is composed by Latinos. By 2050, close to one in four US residents will be of Latino origin and most of the immigrants will be from Mexico. Latinos in the U.S. have higher life expectancy than would be expected given their socioeconomic conditions, but they are more exposed to certain health conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, and some mental health conditions. This project has been critical in providing strategies to address the major health challenges faced by Latinos in the U.S.