Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 14, Issue 5, 2012, Pages 823-830

Health behaviors among Cambodian adults in Lowell, Massachusetts (Article)

Koch-Weser S.* , Liang S. , Grigg-Saito D. , Toof R.
  • a Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02186, United States
  • b Lowell Community Health Center, Lowell, MA, United States
  • c Lowell Community Health Center, Lowell, MA, United States
  • d Center for Family, Work and Community, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, United States

Abstract

Physical activity, maintaining healthy weight, eating fruits and vegetables, and non-smoking are health behaviors that reduce risk for a variety of poor health outcomes. This analysis reports frequencies and sociodemographic correlates of these behaviors among 381 Cambodians aged 25 and older surveyed in Lowell, MA. The majority reported some physical activity (72%), healthy weight (62%), and not smoking (77%). Only 28% reported adequate fruit and vegetable consumption. Four multivariable models indicate that (1) physical activity was associated with higher income, lower levels of US education, reading English, and living in the US 11-19 years; (2) healthy weight with living in the US 20 or more years; (3) not smoking with being female and living in the US less than 11 years; and (4) adequate fruit and vegetable consumption with lower levels of US education and reading English. These results inform public health planning for Cambodians. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2012.

Author Keywords

Cambodians Asians Survey research BMI diet smoking physical activity

Index Keywords

morphometrics Body Weights and Measures exercise Cambodia Massachusetts human Health Behavior sex difference middle aged diet language ethnology United States Humans smoking male female Socioeconomic Factors risk factor Risk Factors socioeconomics Article adult age Sex Factors Age Factors
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84871924149&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-012-9620-8&partnerID=40&md5=fd3186fbfdb50af1f3042ea02474651f
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-012-9620-8
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English