Southern California Asian Americans and the Obesity Epidemic: A Qualitative Study to Improve Understanding and Cultural Competence

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Obesity continues to be a public health concern in the United States, yet limited research exists on the impact of obesity and weight gain among Asian Americans. Purpose The purpose of this study was to illuminate the lived realities and physical, mental, and social impacts of obesity on overweight and obese Asian Americans in Southern California. Methods A basic qualitative exploratory approach was used. Twenty-five participants were interviewed, leveraging a protocol derived from the health belief model (HBM). Results Six themes highlight obesity’s impact among Asian Americans in Southern California: physical and mental health disadvantages, motivation and consistency, taboo nature of being overweight or obese, model minority misnomer, cultural incongruence, and perception of BMI as an outdated measure. Discussion Findings reveal obesity’s impact among Asian Americans to be complex, linked to both internal and external factors, and suggest that this population is as important as others when discussing obesity prevention. Translation to Health Education Practice Health Educators and health professions need to improve their understanding of the complexities and impact obesity has among Asian Americans and increase cultural competence to develop more responsive obesity and weight interventions and Health Education content. A AJHE Self-Study quiz is online for this article via the SHAPE America Online Institute (SAOI) http://portal.shapeamerica.org/trn-Webinars