Chinese American Children Research Articles

Prevalence of Obesity among Young Asian-American Children

Asian-American children are considered to be at low risk of obesity, but previous estimates have not distinguished between children from different Asian countries. We estimate the prevalence of obesity among Asian-American children by mother's country of origin, generational status, and family socioeconomic factors using a secondary analysis of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Birth Cohort (ECLS-B) wave III (children ∼4 years old) dataset. The ECLS-B is a nationally representative study of children born in 2001 that oversampled births to Asian mothers. Asian ethnic categories included Chinese, Japanese, Filipino, Asian Indian, Korean, Vietnamese, and Other Asian/Pacific Islander. The primary outcome variable was weight status; overweight = BMI ≥85(th) and obese = BMI ≥95(th) percentile for age and gender. Twenty-six percent [95% confidence interval (CI) 23.6-29.1] of Asian-American 4 year olds were overweight or obese, and 13% (95% CI 10.2-15.2) were obese. Chinese-American children were at lower risk of overweight or obesity (23.5%, 95% CI 18.4-29.5 ) compared to whites (36%, 95% CI 34.3-37.7); Asian-Indian 4 year olds had the lowest rates of overweight or obesity (15.6%, 95% CI 8.0-28.2) and were most likely to be underweight (10%, 95% CI 4.9-19.4). Among Asians,Vietnamese-American children had the highest rate of overweight or obesity (34.7%, 95% CI 0.6-52.3). Vietnamese-American children are at elevated risk of obesity and overweight, whereas Chinese and Asian-Indian children are at low risk. After controlling for Asian ethnicity, maternal education, and household poverty status, Asian-American children whose mothers were born outside the United States were less likely to be obese [odds ratio = 0.55 (0.32-0.95), p = 0.03].

Teacher–child relationship quality and academic achievement of Chinese American children in immigrant families

This study examined the cross-sectional relations between teacher–child relationship quality (TCRQ) and math and reading achievement in a socio-economically diverse sample of Chinese American first- and second-grade children in immigrant families (N=207). Teachers completed a questionnaire measuring TCRQ dimensions including closeness, conflict, and intimacy, and children completed a questionnaire measuring overall TCRQ. Standardized tests were used to assess children's math and reading skills. Analyses were conducted to (a) test the factor structure of measures assessing TCRQ among Chinese American children, (b) examine the associations between teacher- and child-rated TCRQ and children's academic achievement, controlling for demographic characteristics, and (c) examine the potential role of child gender as a moderator in the relations between TCRQ and achievement. Results indicated that teacher-rated TCRQ Warmth was positively associated with Chinese American children's reading achievement. Two child gender-by-TCRQ interactions were found: (a) teacher-rated TCRQ Conflict was negatively associated with girls’ (but not boys’) math achievement, and (b) child-rated Overall TCRQ was positively associated with boys’ (but not girls’) reading achievement. These findings highlight the valuable role of TCRQ in the academic success of school-aged children in immigrant families.

Meaning making in middle childhood: An exploration of the meaning of ethnic identity.

Social identity, including identification with one's ethnic group, is an important aspect of social development. However, little is known about the subjective meaning associated with social group memberships, particularly during middle childhood. Using second- and fourth-graders responses to an open-ended question, we explored the meaning of ethnic identity with a sample of Chinese, Dominican, Russian, White, and Black American children. Analyses revealed that middle childhood is an active period for meaning making as children described the ethnic identity to include ideas such as language, physical appearance, pride, relative social position, and culture. While there were few differences in the ethnic identity meaning responses of second- and fourth-grade children, the meaning of ethnic identity varied considerably across the ethnic groups underscoring how the unique features and experiences of different ethnic groups shapes the subjective meaning of ethnic identity. These findings align with prior research on the meaning of ethnic identity among adults and adolescents and offer insight for future research regarding the conceptualization and measurement of the meaning of social group membership.

Emergency Department Utilization Patterns and Health Care Needs Assessment Among Parents of Chinese American Children in New York City

A limited number of publications have addressed the health care needs of Chinese American children of recently immigrated parents. We administered a Chinese-language survey to parents presenting to an urban pediatric emergency department (PED) in New York City and at community venues. The survey assessed demographics, access to health care, and utilization/expectations of the PED. Emergency Severity Index scores were recorded for emergency department patients. Three hundred fifteen families (54% in the PED) completed the survey. Of those completed in the PED, 79% sought emergency services because of pediatric referral or because their pediatrician's office was closed. Of our sickest patients with an Emergency Severity Index score of 3 or less, 28% of parents felt that the child was somewhat sick or not sick at all. Although the majority of our Chinese American families utilize the emergency department appropriately, 28% of the parents of our sickest patients did not appreciate the degree of illness of their children.

The Influence of Heritage Language and Public Schools on Chinese American Children's Biliteracy Development

This article investigated four Chinese American students' biliteracy development in two contexts: their heritage language school and public school. Data were collected through participant observations, audio-recorded classroom interactions, student work samples, and semistructured interviews. Findings demonstrated how literacy instruction across languages and contexts helped to pave a path to biliteracy development. In addition, this study explored the influence of literacy instruction across languages and contexts and their effect on the focal students' biliteracy development. The study illustrated how cultural factors shaped literacy instruction across languages and contexts. Finally, pedagogical implications were also discussed.

The Active Balance Childhood Program for Improving Coping and Quality of Life in Chinese American Children

Interventions to teach children healthy and effective coping skills could help reduce their risk of becoming overweight. However, few studies have examined whether an intervention that teaches coping strategies in weight management can influence children's coping behavior and psychosocial well-being. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of an interactive, a child-centered, and a family-based program in promoting effective coping, behavioral health, and quality of life in Chinese American children. This study used a randomized controlled study of behavioral intervention in 67 Chinese American children (ages 8-10 years, normal weight and overweight) and their families. At baseline and 2, 6, and 8 months after baseline, children had anthropometric measurements and completed questionnaires related to coping skills and quality of life, and parents completed the Child Behavior Checklist. Children in the intervention group reported using more active coping strategies and having a higher quality of life in the physical and emotional health domains than did children in the control group during the 8-month study. Children's behavioral problems did not differ between the intervention and the control groups. Changes in coping and psychosocial well-being were not related to change in body mass index in the entire group, except increased body mass index is associated with decreased emotional quality of life. This culturally appropriate behavioral intervention was effective in promoting healthy coping and in improving quality of life in Chinese American children. Its utility for both optimal weight and overweight children suggests potential application of the intervention in a broad range of populations.

Cultural differences in Chinese American and European American children's drawing skills over time

Parents and early childhood teachers in Chinese societies and the United States have had dissimilar views about appropriate art instruction for young children. The Chinese view is that creativity will emerge after children have been taught essential drawing skills. The American view has been that children's drawing skills emerge naturally and that directive teaching will stifle children's creativity. Forty second-generation Chinese American and 40 European American young children participated in this longitudinal study at ages 5, 7, and 9 to explore possible cultural differences in and antecedents of their drawing skills and creativity. Chinese American children's person drawings were more mature and creative and their parents reported more formal ways of fostering creativity as compared to their European American counterparts. Correlations showed that children who had more opportunities to draw and who received more guidance in drawing were more advanced in their drawing. For Chinese Americans, fathers’ personal art attitudes and children's Time 1 drawing skills predicted 53% of the variance in children's drawing scores four years later.

Factors associated with self-competence and quality of life in Chinese-American children

The goal of this study was to examine factors associated with self-competence and quality of life in Chinese-American children. A cross-sectional design was used to examine factors associated with Chinese-American children’s self-competence (perception of their own competence) and quality of life. Body mass index was used to measure children’s relative weight. Children completed the Self-Perception Profile for Children, the Pediatric Quality of Life self-report, and the Children's Self-Administered Physical Activity Checklist. Parents provided demographic information and reported their level of acculturation. Sixty-five 8- and 10-year-old Chinese-American children (49% boys, 51% girls) and their parents participated in the study. Boys reported higher levels of competence in athletics than girls reported. Multivariate regression models reveal that an increased level of sedentary activity in Chinese American children contributes to low competence levels with respect to physical appearance and decreased quality of life in the social health domain. Increased BMI is related to decreased selfcompetence in physical appearance. Low levels of sedentary activity have a great influence on selfcompetence and quality of life in Chinese American children. The development of culturally appropriate programs that decrease sedentary activity and improve quality of life is critical for health promotion among Chinese Americans.

Efficacy of a child-centred and family-based program in promoting healthy weight and healthy behaviors in Chinese American children: a randomized controlled study

To examine the efficacy of an interactive, child-centred and family-based program in promoting healthy weight and healthy lifestyles in Chinese American children. A randomized controlled study of a culturally sensitive behavioral intervention. Sixty-seven Chinese American children (ages, 8-10 years; normal weight and overweight) and their families. Anthropometry, blood pressure, measures of dietary intake, physical activity, knowledge and self-efficacy regarding physical activity and diet at baseline and 2, 6 and 8 months after baseline assessment. Linear mixed modeling indicated a significant effect of the intervention in decreasing body mass index, diastolic blood pressure and fat intake while increasing vegetable and fruit intake, actual physical activity and knowledge about physical activity. This interactive child-centred and family-based behavioral program appears feasible and effective, leading to reduced body mass index and improved overweight-related health behaviors in Chinese American children. This type of program can be adapted for other minority ethnic groups who are at high risk for overweight and obesity and have limited access to programs that promote healthy lifestyles.

Risk Factors for Obesity and High Blood Pressure in Chinese American Children: Maternal Acculturation and Children’s Food Choices

The objective of this study is to explore risk factors associated with overweight and high blood pressure in Chinese American children. Students and their parents were recruited from Chinese language schools in the San Francisco Bay Area. Data were collected on 67 children and their mothers, and included children’s weight, height, waist and hip circumferences, blood pressure, level of physical activity, dietary intake, usual food choice, knowledge about nutrition and physical activity, and self-efficacy regarding diet and physical activity. Mothers completed questionnaires on demographic data and acculturation. About 46% of children had a body mass index exceeding the 85th percentile. Lower level of maternal acculturation is a risk factor for overweight and higher waist to hip ratio. Children’s unhealthy food choices were predictive of high body mass index and high systolic blood pressure, whereas older age and less physical activity in children were predictors of high diastolic blood pressure. Developing culturally sensitive and developmentally appropriate interventions to reduce overweight and high blood pressure is critical to reduce health disparities among minority children.

Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in Chinese American Children in New York City

Childhood obesity has been a growing concern in recent years. The extent of obesity in various ethnic pediatric populations including Chinese Americans has not been fully explored. In this study, the prevalence of overweight and obesity in a Chinese American pediatric population (6-19 years) was determined through a chart review of 4,695 patients from a large community health center in New York City. Demographic characteristics including sex, age and immigrant status were used in a logistic regression to determine risk factors for obesity in this community. Overall, 24.6% of the children studied were overweight or obese (defined as BMI > or = 85th percentile for age and sex). Among US born boys aged 6-12 years, the combined prevalence of overweight and obesity was found to be as high as 40%. Further studies are needed to understand the complex interplay of factors that contribute to obesity in pediatric immigrant groups.

Mothers' self-reported emotional expression in Mainland Chinese, Chinese American and European American families

This study compared Mainland Chinese, Chinese American and European American mothers' self-reported emotional expression within the family. Mothers of 3-year-old European American ( n = 40), Chinese American (n = 39) and Mainland Chinese (n = 36) children (n = 20 girls per group) completed the Self-Expressiveness in the Family Questionnaire (SEFQ), a measure that includes 40 items describing the expression of positive and negative emotion (20 items each). Respondents indicate how frequently they engage in each expressive practice. Mothers also completed a questionnaire regarding family ecology variables. European American mothers reported significantly more positive emotional expression than Mainland Chinese mothers, although no significant differences were found for expression of negative emotion. While family ecology differed across groups, these variables were not related to the emotional expression scores. No child-gender differences were obtained. Results of this study confirm the presence of cultural differences in mothers' emotional expressivity.

Pilot study of an individually tailored educational program by mail to promote healthy weight in Chinese American children.

To test the feasibility and impact of an individually tailored educational intervention to promote healthy weight in Chinese American children (ages 8-10). A pre- and post-test study (N = 57) using standardized instruments to measure children's usual food choices, knowledge of nutrition and physical activity needs, and time spent engaging in physical and sedentary activities. We found improvement after the intervention in all three areas. Healthcare providers need to provide parents and children with specific recommendations regarding children's weight statuses, dietary intake, and levels of activity.

Household Income, Maternal Acculturation, Maternal Education Level and Health Behaviors of Chinese-American Children and Mothers

A cross-sectional study was conducted to examine factors associated with health behaviors, including physical activity and dietary intake, of Chinese women who have immigrated to the United States and their children. Using convenience sampling, a total of 65 Chinese-American children and their mothers in the San Francisco Bay Area participated in the study. Information related to children's weight, height, level of physical activity (Caltrac accelerometer), and dietary intake (Kids' food frequency questionnaire) was collected using standardized instruments. Mothers completed questionnaires regarding household income, their levels of education and acculturation (Suinn-Lew Asian Self-Identity Acculturation Scale), dietary intake (SWAN Food Frequency Questionnaire), and level of physical activity (Seven-day physical activity recall). 36.9% (n = 24) of the children were overweight (body mass index higher than the 85th percentile). A high household income was related to low maternal body mass index (R(2) = .08, P = .04), high maternal fat intake (R(2) = .21, P = .0001), and high maternal intake of sweets (R(2) = .08, P = .033), and a high level of maternal acculturation was related to low body mass index in children (R(2) = .07, P = .034). The results suggest that an intervention aimed at reducing obesity and promoting health behaviors must be appropriate for different ethnic groups with various incomes and levels of acculturation.

Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Chinese American Children: Associations between Overweight, Acculturation, and Physical Activity

Introduction Understanding cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors among Chinese American children would allow us to target individuals in this group who are at the greatest risk for developing CVD early in life. The purpose of this study is to examine cardiovascular risk factors (increased blood pressure [BP], total cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins, triglycerides, decreased high-density lipoproteins, and increased body mass index [BMI]) in Chinese American children. Method A cross-sectional design was used. A total number of 65 children, aged 8 to 10 years, and their mothers participated in the study. Measurements of the children’s weight, height, BP, blood sample, level of physical fitness, activity level, and dietary intake were collected. Mothers completed questionnaires regarding family history of CVD and level of acculturation. Results A low level of physical activity and high paternal BMI were associated with higher systolic BP in the children. A low level of physical activity was also found to be a risk factor for higher LDL and systolic BP in the children. A high birth weight and lower parental acculturation level were risk factors for higher BMI in the children. Discussion The findings suggest that a low level of physical activity and high BMI are associated with increased risk of CVD in Chinese American children. The development of culturally appropriate programs that promote an active lifestyle and reduce weight is critical in CVD prevention in Chinese American populations.

The Obesity Epidemic in Chinese American Youth?: A Literature Review and Pilot Study

Despite nearly 12 million Asian Americans living in the United States and continued immigration, this increasingly substantial subpopulation has consistently been left out of national obesity studies. When included in national studies, Chinese-American children have been grouped together with other Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders or simply as “other,” yielding significantly lower rates of overweight and obesity compared to non-Asians. There is a failure to recognize the ethnic diversity of Asian Americans as well as the effect of acculturation. Results from smaller studies of Chinese American youth suggest that they are adopting lifestyles less Chinese and more Americans and that their share of disease burden is growing. We screened 142 children from the waiting room of a community health center that serves primarily recent Chinese immigrants for height, weight and demographic profile. Body Mass Index was calculated and evaluated using CDC growth charts. Overall, 30.1 percent of children were above the 85th we found being male and being born in the U .S. to be statistically significant for BMI > 85th percentile (p=0.039, p=0.001, respectively). Our results suggest that being overweight in this Chinese American immigrant population is associated with being born in the U.S. A change in public policy and framework for research are required to accurately assess the extent of overweight and obesity in Chinese American children. In particular, large scale data should be stratified by age, sex, birthplace and measure of acculturation to identify those at risk and construct tailored interventions.

The Obesity Epidemic in Chinese American Youth?: A Literature Review and Pilot Study

Despite nearly 14 million Asian Americans living in the United States and continued immigration, this increasingly substantial subpopulation has consistently been left out of national obesity studies. When included in national studies, Chinese-American children have been grouped together with other Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders or simply as other, yielding significantly lower rates of overweight and obesity compared to non-Asians. There is a failure to recognize the ethnic diversity of Asian Americans as well as the effect of acculturation. Results from smaller studies of Chinese American youth suggest that they are adopting lifestyles less Chinese and more American and that their share of disease burden is growing. After stumbling upon the problem while collecting height and weight for an Asthma study we sought to review the literature as well as determine risk factors contributing to obesity in Boston's Chinatown. We screened 142 children from the waiting room of a community health center that se...

What Accounts for Chinese-American Children's High Academic Performance: A Literature Review Of Parental Influences And Home Environment

The Asian population is one of the largest linguistically and culturally diverse groups in the United States. The 2000 Census indicated a total population of 281.4 million. Of that total 11.9 million, or 4.2%, were reported to be Asian. The Chinese population (not including Taiwanese) represented 2,734,841, or 23% of the total Asian population, and can be classified as a minority group. It has been noteworthy that Chinese-American students excel in school in the United States (Huntsinger et al., 2000; Huntsinger, Larson, & Krieg, 1998; Stevenson et al., 1990; Tsai, 1992). Therefore, Chinese-Americans are often called the “model minority“ today in the United States (Huntsinger et al, 2000; Lee, 2002; Louie, 2001; Siu, 1992, 1996a; Stevenson et al, 1990; Tsai, 1992). The school success of Chinese-American gifted and talented children has been studied and explained. For example, Zhang and Carrascjuillo (1995) stated that immigrant Chinese parents are renowned for their willingness to sacrifice for the sake of their children's education. In return, these parents tend to demand and expect that their children will do well academically in school and be aware of the sacrifices their parents have made for them (Carrascjuillo & London, 1993; Mordkowitz & Ginsburg, 1986). Accordingly, most Chinese-American children work hard to meet their parents' expectations of excellent performance in school Parental influence and home environment have been considered significant factors in children's development and academic achievement. Some research (Becher, 1984) has provided convincing evidence regarding the crucial role parents play in the development and education of their children. Home environment plays a key role in children's development (Goodman & Goodman, 1990). From birth, children are engaged in various interactions with family members, and therefore parental involvement has an important impact on children's academic achievement (Baker & Stevenson, 1986; Becher, 1984; F ehrmann, Keith & Reimers, 1987; Grolnick, Benjet, Kurowski, & Apostoleris, 1997; Morrow, 1983; Seginer, 1986). The role of parents is very important and influential in children's continuing development and achievement (Zhang & Carrasquillo, 1995). Hence, this article focuses on reviewing research on parental influences and home environment.

Bilingual and Bicultural Development of Chinese American Adolescents and Young Adults: A Comparative Study

Speaking the language of one's origin has symbolic importance for maintaining one's ethnic group identity. This study investigates the following question: How does a bicultural identity evolve as Chinese American children grow from the period of adolescence to young adulthood? By conducting in-depth interviews of 10 adolescents and 10 young adults, this study examines the perceived benefits and costs of bilingualism in second-generation Chinese American children who are between 12 and 20 years old. This study illustrates the mixed feelings that these young people experience as they grow from adolescence to young adulthood. These feelings include confusion, uncertainty, pride, and self-affirmation. Specifically, this study finds that young adults, as compared with adolescents, show an increased intrinsic motivation to retain a bicultural identity as they grow older; hence, they perceive the benefits to be greater than the costs in bilingualism and biculturalism.

A Test of the Intergenerational Congruence in Immigrant Families--Child Scale with Southeast Asian Americans

A common challenge facing immigrant families is intergenerational-intercultural conflict. Social workers are in need of an easy-to-use but psychometrically sound measure to assess this phenomenon and evaluate treatment effectiveness. The Intergenerational Congruence in Immigrant Families (ICIF) Scale was created for this purpose. The ICIF has two parallel versions, one to assess the perspective of the parent (ICIF-Parent Scale) and the other to assess the perspective of the adolescent or young adult children of immigrants (ICIF-Child Scale, or ICIF-CS) of the intergenerational relationship. As Southeast Asian American refugee families are at increased risk of intergenerational-intercultural conflict, the current study assesses the psychometric properties of the ICIF-CS in 188 Southeast Asian American college students with refugee parents. The ICIF-CS was found to be a unidimensional measure with high internal reliability. Its construct validity was supported by its positive association with parental attachment and self-esteem and negative association with family conflict and depressive symptom level. KEY WORDS: intergenerational congruence; intergenerational relationship; migrant families; Southeast Asian Americans ********** At the dawn of the 21st century, more people than ever are migrating in search of a better life. This is particularly evident in the United States, where 12% of the population is non-native born (Mareh, 2005). Furthermore, one of every five American children grows up in an immigrant-headed household (Capps, Fix, Ost, Reardon-Anderson, & Passel, 2004). Among Asian Americans, the fastest growing ethnic minority group in the United States, two-thirds are either immigrants or refugees (U.S. Census Bureau, 2002). Consequently, almost nine in every 10 Asian American youths (88%) are raised by overseas-born parents (Zhou & Bankston, 1998). An extensive literature has shown that differential acculturation between migrant parents and their offspring results in intergenerational-intercultural conflict (Kwak, 2003; Sluzki, 1979). This conflict holds significant negative mental health consequences for both migrants and their children (Kwak). For social workers to serve such families effectively, psychometrically sound measures of intergenerational conflict are needed. The Intergenerational Congruence in Immigrant Families-Child and Parent Scales (ICIF-CS and ICIF-PS, respectively) were constructed to address this gap in the literature (Ying, Lee, & Tsai, 2004; Ying & Tracy, 2004). The ICIF assesses intergenerational congruence across various domains and satisfaction with the parent-child relationship from the perspective of both the adolescent or young adult child (ICIF-CS) and the immigrant parent (ICIF-PS), regardless of culture of origin. Earlier research has demonstrated the psychometric properties of these scales in Chinese American immigrant parents (Ying & Tracy) and adolescent children of immigrants (Ying et al., 2004). The current study extends the literature on the use of the ICIF with other migrant groups by focusing on Southeast Asian refugee families. Recent research has documented the intergenerational transmission of trauma in Southeast Asian refugee families where traumatized parents form insecure attachments with their children, who in turn exhibit lowered competence and psychological well-being (Han, 2006). Thus, it is particularly important to assess intergenerational conflict in this population to assist social work interventions. INTERGENERATIONAL-INTERCULTURAL CONFLICT IN MIGRANT FAMILIES The development of intergenerational-intercultural conflict in migrant families occurs secondarily to differential acculturation between nonnative-born parents and their migrant or U.S.-born children (Sluzki, 1979). Having been socialized in their culture of origin, adult migrants usually prefer to retain those values and acculturate slowly to majority U. …