Dietary Acculturation and Predictors of Anthropometric Indicators Among Filipino Americans

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the relationship of the demographic variables, level of acculturation, dietary consumption of fat, sugar, fruits and vegetables and dietary acculturation to the anthropometric measurement of Filipino Americans (FAs) in the United States. The study sample consisted of 128 FAs (N = 128) residing in the southeastern part of the United States. Participants completed the demographics, the Block’s Short Food Frequency Questionnaire (SFFQ), a Short Acculturation Scale for Filipino Americans (ASASFA), and the Dietary Acculturation Questionnaire for Filipino Americans (DAQFA). Anthropometric measurements (waist circumference, hip circumference, weight, and height) were also taken. Descriptive statistics analyses and partial least squares (PLS) were used to explore the predictive relationships among the variables constructed. The most important positive predictors of the anthropometric indicators were the Western Scale (path coefficient = .503, p < .05) and the intake of fats and sugars (path coefficient = .282, p < .05).

Addressing the Health Needs of High-Risk Filipino Americans in the Greater Philadelphia Region

“…Almost all participants did not meet the fruit and vegetable intake recommendation of at least 4 servings of each per day. Serafica and colleagues [14] found that higher levels of vegetable and fruit intake were correlated with higher dietary acculturation and not Western dietary acculturation among Filipino Americans. Thus, our sample may reflect eating behaviors that are common among this population with respect to reduced intake of fresh foods.…”

“…As Filipino Americans are a highly acculturated ethnic group, they may exhibit bicultural eating patterns than reflect both a preference for food that is typically American and traditionally Filipino [4]. More specifically, the Western dietary acculturation scale, which measures Western eating patterns that include a high intake of fat and sugar, was a significant predictor of the increase in anthropometric factors such as body mass index (BMI) and weight in Filipino Americans [14]. High salt intake is a feature of both the Filipino and Western diet; Filipino Americans are typically aware that their traditional cultural foods have high levels of sodium and fat, which are associated with an increased risk for hypertension [15].…”

Comparison of body mass index, waist circumference, and waist to height ratio in the prediction of hypertension and diabetes mellitus: Filipino-American women cardiovascular study

“…Filipinos are from a mixed genetic background (Banda et al, 2015) and have a unique history with substantial Western influence. Moreover, the effect of residing in American including length of residency has an effect due to acculturation (Serafica et al, 2013, Delaveri et al, 2013). In this regard, although overweight, FAW may be healthier than their counterparts in the Philippines because they have better exercise, overall nutrition and medical care (Delaveri et al, 2013).…”

Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome among Filipino-Americans: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Individuals who adopt a Westernized diet have more health problems, including central adiposity, than those who do not (Yim et al, 2010). Serafica (2011) reported that many Filipinos who move to the U.S. adopt a Westernized diet. In his study, Filipinos consumed more fats and sugar than fruits and vegetables in their diet.…”

“…In his study, Filipinos consumed more fats and sugar than fruits and vegetables in their diet. Those who consumed more fats and sugar were obese and had increased WC (Serafica, 2011). According to Dela Cruz and Galang (2008), Filipino-Americans consume more meat and poultry because they are more accessible.…”