Exploratory Investigation of Obesity Risk and Prevention in Chinese Americans

Body Weight and Length of Residence in the US Among Chinese Americans

“…Recent data from focus groups exploring the beliefs and attitudes of Chinese Americans concerning obesity risk and its prevention found that although participants viewed traditional Chinese cuisine as healthier, they still consumed less traditional foods as they became more accustomed to the American lifestyle [11]. In addition, physical and social environmental factors such as the proliferation of fast food restaurants, larger portions of food served in restaurants, and pressure from peers to eat unhealthy foods, such as french fries, were reported to be major causes of obesity in Chinese Americans [11]. Elucidating the mechanisms that traditional Chinese cultural beliefs and practices provide as a buffer against becoming overweight and/or obese is greatly needed [5].…”

“…Literature on beliefs and attitudes related to obesity risk and its prevention in Chinese Americans is even rarer [11].…”

Acculturation and Self-Regulation as Determinants of Childhood Obesity

“…Acculturation has been associated with various mental and physical health outcomes including anxiety, low selfesteem, depression, and eating behaviors (Berry, 2003;Gold, 2007;Harris, 1998;Liou & Bauer, 2007;Popkin & Udry, 1998;Talleyrand, 1998Talleyrand, , 1999. With respect to the obesity literature, only a few researchers have examined how the acculturation process affects the overweight status of immigrants as they acculturate to American society, and these results have been contradictory.…”

“…Additionally, Liou and Bauer (2007) used a qualitative approach to examine the perceptions of Chinese Americans (N = 40) related to obesity risk and prevention. The findings suggest that young Chinese Americans believed that the major factor related to significant weight gain was bad and 5 unhealthy eating habits coupled with sedentary lifestyles.…”

“…Ultimately, the relationship between self-regulatory processes and eating habits/weight management may depend on the culture of the individual. As previously discussed, the values of a specific culture may be a direct factor in weight gain, like in Latino and African cultures where being overweight has been historically associated with health and wealth (Brewis, 2003;Villarosa, 1994), while in Asian cultures, enculturation is associated with more healthful eating habits, as opposed to acculturating to dominant White American eating habits (Liou & Bauer, 2007).…”