Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 14, Issue 5, 2012, Pages 890-894

Health risk behaviors among five Asian American subgroups in California: Identifying intervention priorities (Article)

Maxwell A.E.* , Crespi C.M. , Alano R.E. , Sudan M. , Bastani R.
  • a UCLA Center for Cancer Prevention and Control Research, Los Angeles School of Public Health, University of California, A2-125 CHS, Box 956900, Los Angeles, CA 90095-6900, United States
  • b UCLA Center for Cancer Prevention and Control Research, Los Angeles School of Public Health, University of California, A2-125 CHS, Box 956900, Los Angeles, CA 90095-6900, United States
  • c UCLA Center for Cancer Prevention and Control Research, Los Angeles School of Public Health, University of California, A2-125 CHS, Box 956900, Los Angeles, CA 90095-6900, United States
  • d UCLA Center for Cancer Prevention and Control Research, Los Angeles School of Public Health, University of California, A2-125 CHS, Box 956900, Los Angeles, CA 90095-6900, United States
  • e UCLA Center for Cancer Prevention and Control Research, Los Angeles School of Public Health, University of California, A2-125 CHS, Box 956900, Los Angeles, CA 90095-6900, United States

Abstract

This analysis assessed the prevalence of excess body weight, physical inactivity and alcohol and tobacco use in Asian American subgroups. Using 2005 California Health Interview Survey data, we estimated the prevalence of body mass index (BMI) categories using both standard and World Health Organization-proposed Asian-specific categories, physical inactivity, and alcohol and tobacco use for Chinese (n = 1,285), Japanese (n = 421), Korean (n = 620), Filipino (n = 659) and Vietnamese (n = 480) Americans in California. About 80% of Japanese and Filipino American men and 70% of Korean American men were "increased/high risk" by Asian-specific BMI categories. Most Asian American subgroups were more likely to walk for transportation than non-Hispanic whites, but less likely to report other physical activities. Highest smoking and binge drinking prevalences were among Korean, Vietnamese and Filipino American men and Japanese and Korean American women. These results suggest risk profiles for each Asian American subgroup to consider when setting priorities for health promotion programs. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2011.

Author Keywords

Body mass index Asian American subgroups Health risk behaviors California Health Interview Survey

Index Keywords

Vietnam China South Korea Republic of Korea psychological aspect exercise human Health Behavior middle aged statistics diet alcoholism ethnology United States Young Adult Humans smoking Adolescent California Asian Americans Japan male Asian American Viet Nam female prevalence Article high risk behavior Risk-Taking adult body mass Body Mass Index Philippines
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84871764827&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-011-9552-8&partnerID=40&md5=6f4dd4d61182029c81ba4a7bffa0bb70
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-011-9552-8
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 40
Original Language: English