Native Hawaiians residing in Southern California: "Nearly 90% of the participants were either overweight or obese"

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22737649

Hawaii J Med Public Health. 2012 May;71(5):124-8.

Dietary intakes, obesity and health behaviors in native hawaiians residing in southern california.

McEligot AJ, McMullin J, Pang K, Bone M, Winston S, Ngewa R, Tanjasiri SP.

Source

California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA (AJM, SW, RN, SPJ).

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

Accessing dietary intakes, body mass index (BMI) and health behaviors in Native Hawaiians residing in Southern California.

DESIGN:

Cross-sectional, community based participatory research.

PARTICIPANTS:

Native Hawaiian (N = 55); Mean age 59 (± 15).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

Diet, body mass index (BMI), and diet/exercise health behaviors. Collected diet via 24-hr dietary recalls, health behaviors through questionnaires and BMI via measurement/self-report.

ANALYSIS:

Frequencies/means and multiple linear regression were used to assess diet, BMI, and health behaviors.

RESULTS:

Nearly 90% of the participants were either overweight or obese. Less than 20% met the vegetable, fruit, fiber, and whole grain recommendations. Most were a little or somewhat sure (relative to almost always sure) about their ability "to stick with an exercise program when attending a cultural gathering", and "when visiting Hawai'i".

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS:

These results suggest that developing a culturally-based education program to reduce obesity and improve diet is critical for Native Hawaiians residing in Southern California.