Living Environment Considerations on Obesity Prevention Behaviors and Self-Efficacy among Chinese Americans.

Doreen Liou,Jessica A Karasik

doi:10.3390/ijerph18179322

Abstract

The aim of this study is to ascertain if the living environment (type of residential neighborhood and number of household members) will elucidate differences in obesity risk reduction behaviors and self-efficacy in Chinese Americans. A cross-sectional survey design was used to recruit participants from Los Angeles County and New York City metropolitan areas. A total of 650 adults were recruited from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Descriptive statistics were measured for 19 behaviors reflecting food intake and portion size control and items measuring self-efficacy and attitudes. T-tests were applied for the two categories of living environment. The mean age of the sample was 36.3 years. The ‘high income’ neighborhood group indicated a greater frequency of behaviors, including choosing steamed over fried foods (p < 0.01) and using small amounts of oil (p < 0.05). In general, this group exhibited more favorable attitudes and stronger self-efficacy to perform health behaviors. Multiple regression analyses point to the impact of self-efficacy in predicting behaviors. Nutrition professionals must assess client’s living environments in the adoption of obesity prevention behaviors and the fostering of behavioral confidence.

Highlights

Health 2021, 18, 9322. https://The prevalence of obesity is expanding worldwide, requiring a multifaceted and culturally relevant approach across diverse ethnic populations with varying socioeconomic status [1]
The purpose of this study was to determine if the living environment is a differentiating factor to consider when ascertaining behaviors, attitudes, and self-efficacy among Chinese Americans residing in California and the New York (NY) metropolitan area
A cross-sectional survey design was used, which consisted of a convenience sample of Chinese Americans living in Los Angeles (LA) County, California and New York City, New

Summary

Introduction

The prevalence of obesity is expanding worldwide, requiring a multifaceted and culturally relevant approach across diverse ethnic populations with varying socioeconomic status [1]. Weight gain among adults is a health issue affecting Asian Americans in the United States [2]. Generational research points to rising obesity rates among successive generations of Chinese Americans [3,4,5,6,7]. In the past two decades, weight gain is more pronounced in U.S.-born Asians than their foreign-born counterparts [8]. Environmental influences and acculturation to American eating patterns exacerbate the risk of obesity for this population group. Asians born in the U.S are 3–4 times more likely to be obese than individuals born overseas [9]. A positive correlation is detected between the length of U.S

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