title: One size does not fit all: cardiovascular health disparities as a function of ethnicity in Asian-American women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although few studies have examined cardiovascular disease in Asian-American subgroups separately, limited data in Asian Americans strongly suggest that some subgroups are at increased risk. The present study examined modifiable cardiovascular risk factor profiles as a function of Asian ethnicity.
  
  
  METHODS
  This descriptive cross-sectional pilot study recruited Asian-American women (N=147) in northeast Florida including Cambodians (n=39), Chinese (n=36), Filipinos (n=49), and Vietnamese (n=23). Risk factors included blood pressure, body mass index, waist circumference and blood lipids.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Filipino participants (41%) had ≥4 risk factors compared to 21% Cambodian, 13% Vietnamese and 0% Chinese. The Chinese had significantly more participants (44%) with the absence of CVD risk factors compared to all other subgroups. Obesity rate (18%), mean BMI: 26 ± 5 kg/m(2) and mean triglycerides (173 ± 103 mg/dL) were highest in Filipinas (n=49). The Chinese (n=36) had a low rate (4%) of obesity with a mean BMI of 23 ± 3 kg/m(2) and the least risk factors along with the lowest triglycerides (88 ± 44 mg/dL). Cambodians (n=39; BMI of 24 ± 3 kg/m(2)) and Vietnamese (n=23; BMI: 22 ± 3 kg/m(2)) had low rates of obesity with comparable rates of unhealthy lipids and hypertension as the Filipinas.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Modifiable CVD risk factor profiles significantly differed as a function of ethnicity supporting the premise that Asian-American women cannot be categorized as one group and the traditional "one size fits all" prevention or treatment of CVD risk factors should be re-considered.
authors: School of Nursing, University of North Florida, USA. Electronic address: i.ancheta@unf.edu.
authors: Irma B
authors: IB
authors: Ancheta
authors: School of Social Work, Indiana University, USA.
authors: Joan M
authors: JM
authors: Carlson
authors: Department of Public Health, University of North Florida, USA.
authors: Cynthia A
authors: CA
authors: Battie
authors: East Coast Institute for Research, USA.
authors: Nancy
authors: N
authors: Borja-Hart
authors: College of Public Health and Florida Mental Health Institute, University of South Florida, USA.
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Cobb
authors: College of Public Health and Florida Mental Health Institute, University of South Florida, USA.
authors: Christine V
authors: CV
authors: Ancheta
mesh_terms: D001213:Asian; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Asian American women; Cardiovascular risk factors; Obesity