<p> This study describes the acculturation, dietary habits and health status indicators among first generation Filipino American immigrants and investigates the relationship among these variables. A non-experimental, quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional design (n=210) was used in the study. Acculturation was measured using the Short Acculturation Scale for Filipino Americans (ASASFA). Dietary pattern was measured using the Dietary Acculturation Questionnaire for Filipino Americans (DAQFA) and the Block's Short Food Frequency Questionnaire (SFFQ). Health indicators included Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference and waist-hip ratio (WHR). Using the American guidelines, 36.6% women and 61.9% men were overweight or obese, 23.9% women and 19.7% men had increased waist circumference and 60.4% women and 67.1% men had increased WHR. Using Asian guidelines, overweight/obesity rates increased to 67.9% women and 86.9% men, increased waist circumference was 50.7% women and 50% men. Western dietary intake was significantly correlated with caloric intake (p<.01), percent fat intake (p<.05), BMI (p<.01) and waist circumference (p<.05). Caloric intake was significantly correlated with BMI (p<.01) and waist circumference (p<.01). Fat intake had a significant positive correlation with BMI (p<.05). Filipino American immigrants have increased risks in diet-related chronic diseases including increased BMI, waist, WHR and increased fat intake. The results of this study provide health care providers with information on the importance of using appropriate anthropometric measurement guidelines in screening for health risks and the importance of dietary assessment and nutritional counselling in this population.</p>
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:PROQUEST/oai:pqdtoai.proquest.com:3681391 |
| Date | 18 February 2015 |
| Creators | Vargas, Persephone Panajon |
| Publisher | The William Paterson University of New Jersey |
| Source Sets | ProQuest.com |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | thesis |
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