Abstract
Youth obesity has increased dramatically in the United States, disproportionally affecting Hawaiian populations. The primary research objective was to describe the influence of parent and friends on the dietary, physical activity, and sedentary behaviors of Pacific Islander high school students. Data were collected from classrooms within a private high school on the Hawaiian island Oahu. Participants were Pacific Islander adolescents attending a high school in Hawaii. Participating adolescents completed a questionnaire, followed by a corresponding focus group; specifically reporting the social-level influences on their dietary and activity behaviors. Adolescents then interviewed their parent/guardian, asking questions relative to their perceived health-related influence. Participating adolescents (N = 60) were 53% female with a mean age of 16.93 (SD = 0.63), and their parents/guardians (N = 47) were 75% female with a mean age of 46.72 (SD = 5.11). Outcomes revealed parents/ guardians as the dominant influence on adolescents’ dietary behaviors, and time spent with parents was almost exclusively sedentary. In comparison, adolescents were more active with friends, but shared less healthy dietary habits. Results provide groundwork for similar examinations and culturally tailored interventions among similar adolescent populations.
Highlights
The United States (US) has experienced a drastic increase in obesity among adolescent youth, becoming an epidemic and public health concern
On average, shared meals with adolescents were similar between parents/guardians and friends
The present study described the parent/guardian and friend influences on Pacific Islander adolescents’ dietary and activity behaviors
Summary
The United States (US) has experienced a drastic increase in obesity among adolescent youth, becoming an epidemic and public health concern. Population-level surveillance has revealed a 5% to 18% increase in obesity among adolescents (12 to 19 years old) [1], and obese youth commonly become obese adults [2]. Obesity is a consequence of excessive energy intake and/or insufficient energy expenditure (i.e., energy imbalance), which is largely influenced by activity and dietary patterns. Previous research has revealed strong relationships between energy imbalance and specific modifiable behaviors, including physical activity (PA) [10], excessive screen time [11], and dietary patterns [12]. Among American youth, television time is negatively associated with fruit and vegetable intake [18], facilitating over-consumption of calorie-dense foods [19]
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