Since 2010, Arizona's immigration law (SB 1070) has produced unintended racial profiling consequences for Hispanics. Earlier empirical evidence establishes its adverse mental health effects on young Hispanics. This study expands the analysis by introducing obesogenic repercussions. Using Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System data from 2001 to 2017, Synthetic Control Method techniques are employed to isolate the law's health consequences. Results indicate significant post-2010 deviations from indistinguishable pre-2010 trends in health indicators for Arizona and its synthetic states. After 2010, Arizona's Hispanic youths registered relatively significantly higher incidences of mutually reinforcing mental and physical (obesogenic) indicators, even after accounting for nutritional improvements. Our findings do not discredit weight reduction benefits of favorable diet choices, but rather emphasize the stronger offsetting influence of SB 1070-induced obesogenic health behaviors. Thus, there is a need for policy re-evaluation to curb the law's unintended ramifications and launch more targeted youth-oriented health support programs.
Keywords: Arizona; Hispanic youth; Immigration; Mental health; Obesity; SB 1070.
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