Objective: A cross-sectional study was conducted to examine factors associated with health behaviors, including physical activity and dietary intake, of Chinese women who have immigrated to the United States and their children. Participants: Using convenience sampling, a total of 65 Chinese-American children and their mothers in the San Francisco Bay Area participated in the study. Measures: Information related to children's weight, height, level of physical activity (Caltrac accelerometer), and dietary intake (Kids' food frequency questionnaire) was collected using standardized instruments. Mothers completed questionnaires regarding household income, their levels of education and acculturation (Suinn-Lew Asian Self-Identity Acculturation Scale), dietary intake (SWAN Food Frequency Questionnaire), and level of physical activity (Seven-day physical activity recall). Results: 36.9% (n = 24) of the children were overweight (body mass index higher than the 85th percentile). A high household income was related to low maternal body mass index (R2 = .08, P = .04), high maternal fat intake (R2 = .21, P = .0001), and high maternal intake of sweets (R2 = .08, P = .033), and a high level of maternal acculturation was related to low body mass index in children (R2 = .07, P = .034). Conclusions: The results suggest that an intervention aimed at reducing obesity and promoting health behaviors must be appropriate for different ethnic groups with various incomes and levels of acculturation. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2008.

Women Chinese-american Children SES Health beahvior Acculturation

physical activity educational status immigrant household Life Style Interpersonal Relations health promotion carbohydrate intake human Health Behavior Mother-Child Relations obesity priority journal ethnic group feeding behavior Cross-Sectional Studies United States income Humans Asian Americans male Asian American Acculturation Socioeconomic Factors female Risk Factors Mothers cultural factor clinical article Article adult body weight fat intake Emigration and Immigration body mass body height Body Mass Index dietary intake mother child relation Child