A partial explanation of superior birth weights among foreign‐born women

Abstract

This study of 766 black women confirms and partially explains reports of higher birth weights among foreign-born women. Subjects were new registrants for prenatal care at a public clinic in Harlem, New York City [New York, USA], 1971-1973, and part of a randomized trial of nutritional supplementation during pregnancy. Three nativity groups were represented: NYC USA, southern USA and foreign countries. Despite standard selection of all subjects for high risk of low birth weight, foreign-born women had only 3.8% of birth under 2500 g in contrast with 15.6% among the southern-born and 18.4% among the NYC-born women. Six sets of variables were examined in relation to the birth-wt outcome. An average birth-wt advantage of 218 g for the foreign-born was associated with higher childhood social status and more positive health behaviors.