Asian American and Pacific Islander seafood consumption — a community-based study in King County, Washington

Abstract

This paper describes and quantifies seafood consumption rates, and acquisition and preparation habits of 202 first-and second-generation Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) from 10 ethnic groups (Cambodian, Chinese, Filipino, Hmong, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Mien, Samoan, and Vietnamese) in King County, Washington in 1997. Participants were all seafood consumers. Average and median seafood consumption rates were 117.2 and 89 g/day, respectively, based on the average body weight (62 kg) of participants. Shellfish comprised 45.9% and ''all finfish'' 43.3% of all seafood consumed. Consumption rates varied significantly between ethnic groups with Vietnamese (2.63 g/kg/day) and Japanese (2.18 g/kg/day) having the highest average consumption rates, and Mien (0.58 g/kg/day) and Hmong (0.59 g/kg/day) the lowest. The most frequently consumed finfish and invertebrates were salmon (93% of respondents), tuna (86%), shrimp (98%), crab (96%), and squid (82%). Fish fillets were eaten with the skin 55%, and the head, bones, eggs, and/or other organs 20% of the time. Crabmeat including the hepatopancreas (accumulates lipophilic chemicals such as organochlorine compounds) was consumed 43% of the time. This paper was a product of a Community-University Partnership. Community guidance in study design and data collection was essential for successful participation by the AAPI Community. Data reported here not only will provide risk assessors with AAPI-specific seafood consumption rates but with insights into cultural consumption/acquisition habits that may alter risk assessment assumptions for the AAPI Community.

Fish consumption preferences and factors influencing it

“…Çolakoğlu et al (2006) stated that fish is most frequently purchased from wholesale fish markets and supermarkets, respectively. A study carried out in the United States revealed that seafood is purchased most frequently from supermarkets, street sellers, and restaurants (Sechena et al, 2003). In the current study, it was found that fish is most frequently purchased from fish markets (80%) and supermarkets.…”

“…A study conducted on Asian Americans revealed that the most frequently consumed types of fish are salmon and tuna, and the most frequently consumed type of seafood is shellfish. Furthermore, this study on Asian Americans also revealed that more than 75% of the participants consumed shrimp and crab on regular basis (Sechena et al, 2003).…”

“…Verbeke & Vackier (2005) mentioned that people with lower income and in the younger age groups tend to consume less fish, but there is no meaningful relationship between education and fish consumption frequency. Sechena et al (2003) stated there is no significant difference between men and women or among different age groups; however, Sarıözkan et al (2007) claimed that women consume more fish than men. We found a significant difference in consumption between people of different genders and age groups.…”

Survey of fish consumption patterns of King County (Washington) recreational anglers

“…Several fish consumption studies have been conducted in Washington State (Pierce et al, 1981;Landolt et al, 1985Landolt et al, , 1987McCallum, 1985;CRITFC, 1994;Toy et al, 1996;WA DOH, 1997, 2001Suquamish Tribe, 2000;Sechena et al, 2003). However, studies that focused on the general population of marine anglers were conducted over 15 years ago (Pierce et al, 1981;Landolt et al, 1985Landolt et al, , 1987McCallum, 1985).…”

“…Surveys of freshwater anglers in Washington state were conducted at locations outside of the project area (i.e., King County, WA, USA) (CRITFC, 1994;WA DOH, 1997, 2001). More recent studies have focused only on populations with high (i.e., subsistence) consumption patterns (CRITFC, 1994;Toy et al, 1996;Suquamish Tribe, 2000;Sechena et al, 2003). Thus, the purpose of the surveys conducted by the Department of Natural Resources and Parks was to update existing information on the consumption patterns of the general population of marine anglers in King County.…”