The influence of immigrant generation on obesity among Asian Americans in California from 2013 to 2014

Abstract

Objectives: We aimed to examine the association between immigrant generation and obesity among Californian adults and Asian Americans.

Methods: We pooled weighted data (n = 2,967) on Asian Americans from the 2013-2014 California Health Interview Survey. Overweight and obesity were defined using body mass indices (BMI) of 25 kg/m2 and 30 kg/m2, respectively, in non-Asians, compared with BMI of 23 kg/m2 (for being overweight) and 27.5 kg/m2 (for being obese) in Asians. First-generation or immigrant Asian Americans were defined as those born outside of the U.S. Second-generation Asian Americans were defined as those born in the U.S. with at least one foreign-born parent. All other Asian participants were classified as third-generation or higher. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used with adjustment for age, sex, family income, smoking status, marital status, education, physical activity, and fast food consumption.

Results: Overall, 23.3% of the Asian population was obese, and 40.0% was overweight. The percentage of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation were 72.7%, 22.6%, and 4.6%, respectively. Overall, 1st generation of Asians had lower odds of being obese compared to Whites (OR = 0.34, 95%CI = 0.26-0.45). Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that overall, 2nd generation (OR = 1.69, 95%CI = 1.10-2.60) and 3rd generation (OR = 2.33, 95%CI = 1.29-4.22) Asians had higher odds of being obese compared to 1st generation Asians. Among Chinese, compared to the 1st generation, the 3rd generation had increased likelihood of being obese (OR = 6.29, 95%CI = 2.38-16.6).

Conclusion: Compared to Whites, Hispanics, and Blacks, Asian immigrants are less likely to be obese. Among Asians, 2nd and 3rd generations were more likely to be obese compared to 1st generation. The obesity rate seems to increase the longer Asian immigrants remain in the U.S.