Change in Health Risk Behaviors Over Time Among Older Chinese Immigrants

Objective

Older immigrants represent one of the fastest growing population groups in the US. Unfortunately, the recent literature suggests a correlation between length of time in the US and increased health risk behaviors. To date, however, strikingly little is known regarding the health status, health behaviors, and health trajectories of older immigrants. We take advantage of an NCI-sponsored study of Chinese immigrant health to examine predictors of behavioral risks associated with chronic disease, including current smoking status, physical activity, alcohol use, and body mass index (BMI).

Methods

. A longitudinal cohort study design with representative samples of Chinese American adults aged 18-74, from two Chinese communities in New York City (NYC), Flushing, Queens, and Sunset Park, Brooklyn, provides combined cross-sectional and longitudinal data from November 2002 to June 2006. Baseline interviews were conducted with 2,537 adults aged 18-74, of which 1,384 participants completed the follow-up interview.

Results

We found a positive association between length of residence in US and decreased health risk behaviors. From 2002 to 2006 smoking prevalence among Chinese immigrants declined in both study communities from 17.7% to 13.6%, a 23% (p<.05) decrease. Among older Chinese adults, 14.1% were current smokers; 73.8% abstained from alcohol; 67.8% participated in moderate physical activity, and 30.8% had a BMI between 25.0 and 29.9, categorizing them as overweight.

Conclusion

Contrary to prior research on immigrant health trajectories, length of residence in the U.S. is associated with an increase in selected positive health behaviors.