Duration of US Residence Is Associated With Overweight Risk in Filipino Immigrants Living in New York Metro Area

Abstract

We examined the association between years living in the US and overweight risk among a community sample of Filipino adult immigrants living in the New York (NY) metropolitan area. We found a significant and adverse association between years living in the US and overweight risk. Compared to Filipinos who lived in the US less than 5 years, those who lived in the US 10 years or longer had a higher overweight risk; this association was only present among Filipinos who migrated to NY metropolitan area at 30 years or younger. Studies on causal mechanisms explaining this pattern are needed.

A Health Needs Assessment of the Filipino American Community in the Greater Las Vegas Area

“…Considerable variation in health status among Filipino Americans has been attributed to the rich cultural diversity in terms of language, place of origin, cultural heritage, acculturation, and other sociodemographic indicators. 20–22 Immigrant status, acculturation, and length of stay in the United States have been linked to obesity and poor health outcomes among Filipino Americans. 20 , 21 Variations in overweight and obesity status have also been correlated with the individual's island of origin in the Philippines.…”

“… 20–22 Immigrant status, acculturation, and length of stay in the United States have been linked to obesity and poor health outcomes among Filipino Americans. 20 , 21 Variations in overweight and obesity status have also been correlated with the individual's island of origin in the Philippines. 20 , 21 Filipinos who originated from the central region in the Philippines, compared with other regions, are more likely to be overweight, which could be potentially explained by regional variation in degree of urbanization, culture, diet, and physical activity patterns in the Philippines.…”

“… 20 , 21 Variations in overweight and obesity status have also been correlated with the individual's island of origin in the Philippines. 20 , 21 Filipinos who originated from the central region in the Philippines, compared with other regions, are more likely to be overweight, which could be potentially explained by regional variation in degree of urbanization, culture, diet, and physical activity patterns in the Philippines. 20 Based on the geography and culture, different islands in the Philippines show diversity in terms of behaviors related to diet and/or physical activity, which may predispose people from one island group more toward obesity than another.…”

“… 20 , 21 Filipinos who originated from the central region in the Philippines, compared with other regions, are more likely to be overweight, which could be potentially explained by regional variation in degree of urbanization, culture, diet, and physical activity patterns in the Philippines. 20 Based on the geography and culture, different islands in the Philippines show diversity in terms of behaviors related to diet and/or physical activity, which may predispose people from one island group more toward obesity than another. 22 Furthermore, the complex cultural diversity among the Philippine island regions has created considerable heterogeneity in behaviors related to diet and/or activity.…”

Novel Considerations about Diabetes Management Strategies in Chinese Immigrants in America: Possible Corollaries of the Use of Traditional Chinese Medicines

“…Support for this theory comes from evidence of associations of the duration of time spent in the US with overweight and obesity. For example, both Chinese and Filipino immigrants living in NYC for longer durations had higher overweight and obesity risks [76,77].…”