274667 Is BMI different among Asian American Ethnic Subgroups based on nativity and US-length of residence?

Monday, October 29, 2012 : 8:50 AM - 9:10 AM

Emma Sanchez-Vaznaugh, ScD MPH , Health Education, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA
Lisa Rosas, PhD MPH , Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
Dolly A. John, MPH , Dept. of Health Services, University of Washington School of Public Health, Seattle, WA
Brisa N. Sanchez, PhD , Department of Biostatistics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
     
Objectives. To investigate whether the association between nativity, length of residence and BMI varied across diverse Asian ethnic groups in California. Methods: Using pooled data from the California Health Interview Survey for the years 2001, 2003 and 2005, the authors examined whether the relationship between nativity, US length of residence and BMI varied across six Asian ethnic groups (Filipinos, Koreans, Chinese, South Asians, Japanese and Vietnamese). Results. In crude analyses, there was evidence of a strong differential association between nativity, length of residence and BMI across Asian ethnic groups (p<.0001). After controlling for age, gender, and marital status, the association between nativity, length of residence and BMI continued to vary across subgroups; regardless of ethnicity, all US-born groups had higher BMI than their foreign-born counterparts, although the differences were not always statistically significant. The differences in BMI according to length of residence varied across ethnic groups both in terms of strength of the association and statistical significance. Conclusions. The association between nativity, US length of residence and BMI varies across Asian ethnic subgroups. Although, additional research is needed, the diversity in BMI patterns found in this study should be closely considered in future obesity prevention, treatment, and research efforts.

Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and prevention
Diversity and culture
Epidemiology
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe body mass index patterns across diverse Asian American subgroups in California. 2. Compare demographic and socioeconomic characteristics between Asian American subgroups. 3. Assess body weight patterns between Asian American subgroups according to nativity and length of residence in the United States.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I was trained in Social Epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health. I have extensive experience conducting epidemiologic research on the social determinants of health with a focus on immigrant status, socioeconomic factors and race/ethnicity. Additionally, I am an assistant professor at San Francisco State University, where I teach undergraduate and graduate courses in epidemiology and biostatistics.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3030.0: Cancer and Obesity Patterns among Latinos and Asians