Exploratory investigation of obesity risk and prevention in Chinese Americans.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the beliefs and attitudes related to obesity risk and its prevention in Chinese Americans via in-depth, qualitative interviews using the guiding tenets of Health Belief Model, Theory of Planned Behavior, and social ecological models.


METHODS
A qualitative study using tenets of the Health Belief Model, the Theory of Planned Behavior, and social ecological models.


METHODS
The New York City metropolitan area.


METHODS
Forty young Chinese American adults (24 females; 16 males) were interviewed.


METHODS
Obesity risk and prevention.


METHODS
Common themes were identified, coded, and compared using NVivo computer software.


RESULTS
Poor dietary habits and sedentary lifestyles were seen as major weight gain contributors. Obesity was seen predominantly as a non-Asian phenomenon, although 60% of the participants felt susceptible to obesity. Physical and social environmental factors were the overriding themes generated as to the causes of weight gain among young adult Chinese Americans. Physical factors included the powerful effect of media-generated advertisements and a plethora of inexpensive fast and convenience foods emphasizing large portion sizes of low nutrient density. The social environment encourages the consumption of large quantities of these foods. Traditional Chinese cuisine was seen as providing more healthful alternatives, but increasing acculturation to American lifestyle results in less traditional food consumption. Some traditional Chinese beliefs regarding the desirability of a slightly heavy physique can encourage overeating.


CONCLUSIONS
Nutrition educators need to be public policy advocates for environments providing tasty, low cost, healthful foods. Young adult Chinese Americans seek knowledge and skills for making convenient healthful food selections in the midst of a culture that advocates and provides an abundance of unhealthy choices.
Liou
Doreen
D
Department of Health and Nutrition Sciences, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ 07043, USA. lioud@mail.montclair.edu
Bauer
Kathleen D
KD
D000069:Acculturation; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001213:Asian; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education*; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012307:Risk Factors