Asian American Obesity Case Study

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Marketable Diabetes Fact Sheet for Asian Americans

*Information Gathered from three sources included down below.

 Asian Americans are at greater risk of getting diabetes than Caucasians.
 Diabetes affects 10% of Asian Americans.
 95% of Asian Americans have Type II diabetes.
 Genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors and influences cause diabetes in Asian Americans.
 Chinese Americans have higher rates of diabetes than Chinese residents in rural China.
 Japanese Americans have higher rates of diabetes than Japanese residents in Japan.
 Diabetes spreads more rapidly in Asia than anywhere else in the globe.
 Because Asian descents develop diabetes at a relatively healthy weight, it was found out that obesity is not an …show more content…

They have higher body fat at almost all levels of BMI. Their composition is different which leads to grater risk metabolic related diseases.

Asians Percent Body Fat
BMI=15 (lean) BMI=25(normal) BMI=35(obese)
Male 10.0 23.6 37.2
Female 20.4 36.8 53.0

 There needs to be different BMI thresholds for Asian Americans because their bodies differ from those of Caucasians.
 Culturally sensitive care and nutrition therapy would acknowledge the differences between Asian Americans and Caucasians.
 Asian American Perspective on Diabetes Care and Treatment
o Misconception about following a regimen for a temporary time to cure diabetes.
o Belief that Chinese medicines and herbs would cure diabetes.
o Belief that Western medicine only contributes to the relief of symptoms of diabetes.
o Asian Americans believe in alternative medicine and consuming large amounts of a certain type of food such as pumpkin and bitter melon, while also taking consideration of the consumption of prescribed …show more content…

o The age adjusted prevalence among Asian Americans increased by 74% among males and 41% among females from 1997 to 2007.
o Criteria for Overweight and Obesity for Asian Populations
 Underweight <18.5
 Normal Range 18.5-22.9
 Overweight ≥ 23
 Obese ≥ 25
o There are interesting physiologic differences in Asian Americans, but their health risk associated with obesity occur at a lower BMI.
o Asian Americans have higher insulin resistance and the lowest insulin sensitivity than other ethnic populations in the United States.
o Different ratio and ethnic groups have different levels of insurance coverage.
o About 77% of Asians living in the U.S. spoke a language other than English at home. That means that greater language translation/interpretive services are needed.
o Chinese immigrants who speak limited English or no English may encounter more barriers in achieving optimal diabetes outcomes than English speaking Chinese American immigrants.
o Culturally appropriate diabetes education materials are important for the health of Asian Americans.


Sources:

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