Ethnic Differences in Adulthood Growth Attainment of First Generation Israelis and in Their Babies’ Birth Weights

Document Type

Article

Authors

Aviva Palgi, American Health Foundation, New York, NY

Abstract

The adult weight and height of first generation Israeli-born European and Near- Eastern Asian Jewish women was similar to that of women who immigrated from Europe or Asia, respectively. Women of European descent were, however, on the average 4 cm taller and 5 kg heavier than women of Asian descent (p < 0.001). The Asian women were of lower socioeconomic status, however, the shorter adulthood stature of the first generation Asian women was a better indicator of their life-long low socioeconomic level in Asia or in Israel. There were no apparent differences in the birth weight of first and second generation Israeli babies of Asian or European descent. Infant’s birth weight associated positively with their mother’s height and weight, and males were heavier. However, for babies of Asian origin, and with more highly educated fathers, there was a negative association with their birth weight.

Recommended Citation

Palgi, Aviva (1984) "Ethnic Differences in Adulthood Growth Attainment of First Generation Israelis and in Their Babies’ Birth Weights," Human Biology: Vol. 56: Iss. 2, Article 13.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/humbiol/vol56/iss2/13