Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #105271

Hyuni Eden Lee, MPH RD¹, Marjorie Kagawa Singer, PhD, MN, RN², Gail Harrison, PhD², and Dawn Robinson, RD³. (1) Cancer Prevention and Nutrition Section/ California Nutrition Network for Healthy, Active Families, California Department of Health Services, 1616 Capitol Ave., MS 7204, Suite 74.516, Sacramento, CA 95814, 916-449-5419, hlee3@dhs.ca.gov, (2) Asian American Studies, UCLA School of Public Health, 650 Charles Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1772, (3) Nutrition Services, County of Orange Health Care Agency, 1725 W. 17th St, Santa Ana, CA 92706

Background. California is home to one-third of the highly diverse Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) populations in the US (4.1 million), 70% of who are first generation immigrants. The second generation, specifically low-income AAPI children have the fastest rate of increase for overweight than any other ethnic group in the state. Method. The California Nutrition Network conducted qualitative research with low-income monolingual Chinese, Vietnamese and Hmong parents, key informants and children to gain insights as to the availability, perceptions, and barriers to healthy foods and physical activity. Content analysis was used to identify similarities and differences among the groups. In the Orange County, Vietnamese-American community grocery stores and consumer surveys were conducted to understand fruit and vegetable consumption, and needs related to food security and the use of the Food Stamp Program. Results. Common beliefs that emerged among recent immigrants include the importance of fresh fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity, Yin/Yang belief system that pertain to hot and cold properties of food and its influence on food and health. Concept of health includes having a harmonious family, mental and emotional stability. The lure of fast food, children's adoption of unhealthy American eating habits, and long work hours were identified as barriers to a healthy, more traditional lifestyle. Preliminary results of the consumer and grocery survey will be presented. Conclusion. A California 5 A Day campaign for Asian Americans using multi-level strategies is recommended to counter the alarming rise of obesity, and prevent cancer and nutrition-related chronic diseases.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Recognize the effects of unhealthy acculturation-related change in diet and physical activity among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
• Understand the attitude and beliefs of recent monolingual immigrants concerning health and physical activity.
• Acknowledge the barriers to food security, fruits and vegetables, and physical activity among low-income Chinese, Vietnamese, and Hmong population.

Keywords: Asian Americans, Minority Research

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.