Exploring Socio-Behavioral Correlates of Metabolic and Inflammatory Risk in a University Sample Residing Along the U.S./Mexico Border: A Pilot Study Concomitantly Collecting Survey Data, Blood and Hair Samples, and Physical Measures

Gabriel A. Frietze (), Cai Xu, Bibiana Mancera, Elisa Robles-Escajeda, Alyssa A. Martinez, Michelle Gil, Diana P. Flores, Khodeza Begum, Panfeng Liang, Abhijit Mandal, Michael Nsiah-Nimo, Nilotpal Sanyal, Ming-Ying Leung, Michael J. Kenney and Robert A. Kirken
Additional contact information
Gabriel A. Frietze: Border Biomedical Research Center, College of Science, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
Cai Xu: Border Biomedical Research Center, College of Science, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
Bibiana Mancera: Border Biomedical Research Center, College of Science, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
Elisa Robles-Escajeda: Border Biomedical Research Center, College of Science, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
Alyssa A. Martinez: Border Biomedical Research Center, College of Science, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
Michelle Gil: Border Biomedical Research Center, College of Science, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
Diana P. Flores: Border Biomedical Research Center, College of Science, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
Khodeza Begum: Border Biomedical Research Center, College of Science, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
Panfeng Liang: Border Biomedical Research Center, College of Science, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
Abhijit Mandal: Border Biomedical Research Center, College of Science, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
Michael Nsiah-Nimo: Border Biomedical Research Center, College of Science, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
Nilotpal Sanyal: Border Biomedical Research Center, College of Science, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
Ming-Ying Leung: Border Biomedical Research Center, College of Science, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
Michael J. Kenney: Border Biomedical Research Center, College of Science, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, TX 79968, USA
Robert A. Kirken: Border Biomedical Research Center, College of Science, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, TX 79968, USA

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 4, 1-20

Abstract: Hispanic adults have an increased incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) at a younger age and diagnosis of certain cancers, including liver, stomach, and colorectal, which may be attributed to metabolic health. Several key metabolic health indicators, such as hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), body mass index (BMI), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), have been linked to obesity. The purpose of this pilot study was to explore the complex relationships between socio-behavioral factors that lead to the increased incidence of metabolic syndrome (e.g., HbA1c) and chronic inflammation (interleukins) in Hispanics. Two hundred and twelve Hispanic participants ( M age = 43.45, SD = 15.36) who identified predominantly as female (72.17%) were included in the study. Correlational analyses revealed that HbA1c was positively associated with age and negatively associated with several socio-behavioral factors, including overall health, quality of life, physical health, physical performance, social support, mother’s education, and father’s education. These findings highlight the importance of social support and parental involvement in diabetes management. The focused integration of socio-behavioral and biological data provides a powerful foundation for future research and the development of targeted interventions.

Keywords: Hispanic; inflammation; diabetes; body mass index; HbA1c (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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