Effectiveness of diet and physical activity interventions among Chinese-origin populations living in high income countries: a systematic review

Abstract

Background: This review examines the effectiveness of diet and physical activity interventions to reduce cardiometabolic risk among Chinese immigrants and their descendants living in high income countries. The objective of this review is to provide information to help build future interventions aimed at improving diet and increasing physical activity levels among Chinese immigrants. Methods: Outcomes included BMI, weight, waist circumference (WC), waist-hip ratio (WHR), cholesterol (LDL, HDL), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP), hemoglobin A1c (HgbA1c), fasting blood glucose (FBG), and HOMA-IR. Six databases were systematically searched from database inception to date of search (February 2020). Meta-analyses used random effect models to estimate pooled effects of outcomes with 95% confidence intervals. The outcomes assessed were changes in mean outcomes (post-intervention versus baseline) among the intervention group versus control groups. Results: Twenty-one articles were included for synthesis, and eight of these were included in the meta-analysis. Among children/adolescents, there were no significant effects of intervention for any of the outcomes having sufficient data for meta-analysis (BMI, WHR, SBP, and DBP). Among adults, the pooled effect including three studies showed significant changes in BMI (effect size = − 1.14 kg/m 2 ; (95% CI: − 2.06, − 0.21), I 2 = 31%). There were also significant effects of intervention among adults in terms of changes in SBP and DBP, as the pooled effect across three studies was − 6.08 mmHg (95% CI − 9.42, − 2.73), I 2 = 0% and − 3.81 mmHg (95% CI: − 6.34, − 1.28), I 2 = 0%, respectively. Among adults there were no other significant effects among the meta-analyses conducted (weight, WC, LDL, HgbA1c, and FBG).

Managing cardiovascular risk in people living with HIV in Asia – where are we now?

“…Home‐based exercise programmes and mobile health applications may be useful to facilitate compliance with physical activity recommendations in sedentary PLWH [64]. Culturally relevant interventions for lifestyle modification may also be more effective in improving CVD risk factors in Asian PLWH, as demonstrated in the general non‐HIV‐infected populations [65].…”

Factors Associated With Dietary Risks in Older Korean Americans

“…Findings on older immigrants’ health and diet are inconclusive, with some studies reporting immigrants’ vulnerabilities to poor dietary practices and health outcomes (Gong et al, 2019), but others have noted dietary benefits and health advantages (Beasley et al, 2020). Previous studies on the dietary intake of Korean Americans also demonstrate both risks and benefits associated with immigration and acculturation status (e.g., Ko et al, 2019; Shin & Lach, 2011; Yang et al, 2007).…”

Adaptation of a Dietary Screener for Asian Americans

“…Compared with peers of other racial/ethnic groups, Asian American adults consume more sodium and seafood, while Asian American children consume more high glycemic index foods and fewer fruits and vegetables, but promisingly, fewer sugary drinks (Awata et al, 2017; Firestone et al, 2017; Russo et al, 2020). Asian Americans are at high risk of cancer, stroke, and diabetes (Wyatt et al, 2021)—conditions, which may be mitigated by improved dietary behaviors (Beasley et al, 2020). Despite this, current knowledge about diet among Asian Americans and in particular Asian ethnic subgroups is limited (Palaniappan et al, 2010), hindering the development of dietary interventions and programs for these groups.…”