Obesity Risk Among Korean Americans in California
Author Information
Author(s): Cho Juhee, Juon Hee-Soon
Primary Institution: Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health
Hypothesis
What are the social, behavioral, and cultural factors associated with obesity risk among Korean Americans in California?
Conclusion
Korean Americans in California have a significant risk of obesity and related chronic diseases, influenced by sociodemographic factors.
Supporting Evidence
- 38% of Korean Americans were found to be overweight and 8% obese.
- Men were more likely to be overweight or obese than women.
- Length of residence in the U.S. was strongly associated with higher BMI.
Takeaway
This study found that many Korean Americans in California are overweight or obese, and things like how long they've lived in the U.S. and their marital status can affect their weight.
Methodology
A cross-sectional analysis of the 2003 California Health Interview Survey was performed to estimate overweight and obesity prevalence among Korean Americans using WHO BMI criteria.
Potential Biases
Cultural and linguistic differences may have contributed to differential reporting of height and weight.
Limitations
Data for BMI scores were based on self-report rather than objective measures, which may lead to recall bias.
Participant Demographics
Approximately 58% were women, mean age was 45.8 years, and 64% were married.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI, 1.01–6.04
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
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