The present study investigated the prevalence of obesity and the associated health conditions of multiethnic Asian female immigrants in Korea. Data were collected from 2246 immigrant wives in 7 largest ethnic groups in a national health examination program. The mean body mass index was 21.9 ± 3.3 kg/m2. Prevalence of obesity (body mass index ≥25 kg/m2) among immigrant women was 15.4%. Age-adjusted prevalence of obesity varied among groups by native country (from 10.4% for Japanese to 36.3% for Thai women). The likelihood of obesity significantly increased with years of residence in Korea (odds ratio [OR] = 1.44 for 5.0-9.9 years; 1.85 for ≥10 years), physical inactivity (OR = 1.84), and eating spicy and/or salty food (OR = 1.45). Prevalence of chronic health conditions also differed by country of origin. Significant associations were observed between obesity and elevated blood pressure (OR = 1.87), obesity and elevated cholesterol level (OR = 2.83), and obesity and prediabetes/diabetes (OR = 2.44) after adjusting for age, country of origin, and years of residence in Korea. © 2012 APJPH.

Obesity chronic health conditions Asian female immigrants cardiovascular risks Hypertension diabetes

South Korea hypercholesterolemia Republic of Korea exercise Cardiovascular Diseases human Asian continental ancestry group Ethnic Groups diabetes mellitus statistics and numerical data obesity ethnic group diet hypertension ethnology Surveys and Questionnaires Humans migrant Emigrants and Immigrants female risk factor Risk Factors questionnaire prevalence adult body mass Body Mass Index pathophysiology