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Korean-American Mothers' Perspectives on Child Rearing and Child Weight
Background: Dietary habits, physical activity and sedentary behaviors are major modifiable factors contributing to early childhood obesity. Immigrants’ lifestyles and perspectives on obesity often differ from the dominant U.S. culture. Korean Americans (KAs) are the fastest growing Asian minority and obesity rates are increasing, but no prior studies have examined KA family lifestyles as they affect preschoolers’ obesity. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore KA mothers’ challenges while raising their children in the U.S. and their perspectives regarding obesity among KA preschoolers.
Methods: Three focus group interviews with 15 KA mothers were conducted in one preschool and two KA churches in the Chicago metropolitan area. A semi-structured focus group guide was used. The interviews were conducted in Korean and lasted 60 to 120 minutes. Discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and translated into English so that analysis could be confirmed by the non-Korean speaking co-authors.
Results: Content analysis identified three major themes. KA mothers try to retain Korean culture in the U.S and to fulfill high expectations of the mother’s role without the supports they would have in Korea. KA mothers prefer plumpness in children and are not concerned about obesity among KA children because they believe their efforts in shaping healthy environment are protective.
Conclusions: Understanding new immigrant families’ experiences is an important first step to develop supportive programs. In addition, culturally appropriate intervention programs are needed to reduce KA mothers’ stress and help mothers maintain a healthy lifestyle and appropriate weight for their children.
Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and preventionDiversity and culture
Protection of the public in relation to communicable diseases including prevention or control
Public health or related nursing
Learning Objectives:
Describe KA mothers’ experience in bringing up children in the U.S.
Describe KA mothers’ perspectives about childhood obesity
Describe how KA mothers shape their children’s dietary habits, physical activities and screen time.
Keyword(s): Asian and Pacific Islanders, Obesity
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the principal investigator of researches to explore comprehensively understand factors contributing child’s obesity.
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.