American Journal of Public Health
Volume 94, Issue 11, 2004, Pages 1977-1984

Immigration and acculturation in relation to health and health-related risk factors among specific Asian subgroups in a health maintenance organization (Article)

Gomez S.L.* , Kelsey J.L. , Glaser S.L. , Lee M.M. , Sidney S.
  • a Dept. of Health Research and Policy, Stanford University, School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States, Northern California Cancer Center, Union City, CA, United States, 32960 Alvarado-Niles Rd, Union City, CA 94587, United States
  • b Dept. of Health Research and Policy, Stanford University, School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
  • c Northern California Cancer Center, Union City, CA, United States
  • d Dept. of Epidemiol. and Biostatist., Univ. of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
  • e Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente, N. California, Oakland, CA, United States

Abstract

Objectives. We sought to determine how risk factors for disease vary among Asian subgroups. Methods. Using data from a case-control study conducted at Northern California Kaiser Medical Centers (from 1996 to 2001), we compared prevalence of selected risk factors among Asian subgroups and evaluated the associations of these risk factors with sociodemographic factors. Results. Chinese and Japanese patients had a lower body mass index (kg/m2) than did other Asians. In all subgroups, being born in the United States was associated with having a body mass index greater than 25 kg/m2. Compared with other Asians, more Japanese and multiple-race Asians smoked, and more Filipino and multiple-race Asian smokers started smoking at 18 years or younger. Filipinos and multiple-race Asians also were more likely to report diabetes. Conclusions. These data support the importance of efforts to distinguish among Asian subgroups in public health practice and research.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

Chinese Filipino Asian demography race difference human immigration diabetes mellitus social aspect Aged United States smoking Adolescent male Japan female risk factor cultural factor health maintenance organization prevalence Article adult age distribution body mass case control study public health
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-7244260444&doi=10.2105%2fAJPH.94.11.1977&partnerID=40&md5=0746179a8f12c401deaf1fa02a344c78
DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.94.11.1977
ISSN: 00900036
Cited by: 112
Original Language: English