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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
May B Sze, PhD1, Tom Baranowski, PhD2, Janice C. Baranowski, MPH, RD, LD2, and Karen W. Cullen, DrPH, RD, LD2. (1) Pediatric/Children's Nutrition Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, 1100 Bates St, Houston, TX 77030, 713-798-7095, msze@bcm.tmc.edu, (2) Pediatrics/Children's Nutrition Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, 1100 ,Bates St, Houston, TX 77030
Dietary habits and level of physical activity are major health concerns among individuals from all ethnic backgrounds. Compared to their parents, first- and second- generation Asian American children may be more acculturated and adopt the mainstream American lifestyle, with diet high in fats and low levels of physical activity. To assess the dietary habits and physical activity among Asian American Boy Scouts, a total of 8 focus groups were conducted with Asian American parents and their boys. Two parent groups (n=11 parents) focused on diet and two (n=16 parents) focused on physical activity. Two Boy Scout groups (n=20 scouts) focused on diet and two (n=17 scouts) focused on physical activity. Preliminary analyses indicated that the boys sometimes prepared their own meals and these included foods from both mainstream American (e.g., hot dog, sandwich) and Asian American (e.g., rice, noodle soup) cultures. The meals that their parents prepared contained foods that reflected their ethnic heritage. In addition, parents expressed concerns about their sons’ consumption of foods that were high in fats and sugar. Although computer games and TV were barriers that prevented them from becoming more physically active, boys reported that they preferred doing physical activities with their friends. Parents emphasized the importance of homework and that other activities, except eating dinner, were second to homework. These results suggest that Asian American Boy Scouts need skills to select and prepare healthy foods from both cultures. The scouts may also need skills to plan for physical activity. Final complete analysis will be presented at the meeting.
Learning Objectives:
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.