title: Stemming the tide: rising diabetes prevalence and ethnic subgroup variation among Asians in Los Angeles County.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The primary objective of this analysis was to examine the burden of diabetes among Asians and Asian subgroups in Los Angeles County, which has the largest county population of Asians in the U.S.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were analyzed from 6cycles of the Los Angeles County Health Survey, 1997-2011 (n=47,282). Asian adults (n=4672) were categorized into the following ethnic subgroups: Chinese, Filipino, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, South Asian, and Other Asian. Descriptive and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine trends in prevalence, prevalence among Asian subgroups, and factors associated with diabetes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 2005, we observed a rapid increase in diabetes prevalence among Asians compared to whites despite consistently lower BMI relative to other racial/ethnic groups. Diabetes prevalence was significantly higher among Filipinos and South Asians (>10%) compared to East Asians and Vietnamese (<7%). After adjusting for all covariates, Asians who were older, non-drinkers, insured, and overweight or obese were found to have increased odds of diabetes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Diabetes prevalence is increasing more rapidly among Asians compared to whites despite overall lower BMI. The significant heterogeneity among Asian subgroups highlights the need for disaggregated data and additional research to develop culturally appropriate interventions for diabetes prevention and control.
authors.affiliation: Office of Health Assessment and Epidemiology, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, 313 N. Figueroa St., Rm 127, Los Angeles, CA 90012, USA. Electronic address: mshih@ph.lacounty.gov.
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shih
authors.affiliation: Office of Health Assessment and Epidemiology, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, 313 N. Figueroa St., Rm 127, Los Angeles, CA 90012, USA. Electronic address: ydu@ph.lacounty.gov.
authors.forename: Yajun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Du
authors.affiliation: Office of Health Assessment and Epidemiology, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, 313 N. Figueroa St., Rm 127, Los Angeles, CA 90012, USA. Electronic address: alightstone@ph.lacounty.gov.
authors.forename: Amy S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Lightstone
authors.affiliation: Division of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, 3530 Wilshire Blvd., 8th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90010, USA; UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, 650 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. Electronic address: psimon@ph.lacounty.gov.
authors.forename: Paul A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.affiliation: UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, 650 Charles E. Young Drive South, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. Electronic address: maywang@ucla.edu.
authors.forename: May C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001213:Asian / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D015141:Los Angeles / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000208:ethnology*; D015995:Prevalence; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Asians; Body mass index; Diabetes; Ethnicity