The Issue of Obesity among Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders

During the month of May, we commemorate National Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. This month, the Ethnicity and Health in America Series will be raising public awareness about mental health and obesity among Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders. Epidemiological data (e.g., the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) show that Asian-Americans have lower rates of obesity than other racial/ethnic groups in the U.S. However, such data have been criticized for ignoring the differences between Asian-American ethnic groups (Wang and Beydoun, 2007). For example, rates of obesity among Filipino-Americans are comparable to, and in some cases higher, than the national average. In addition, Asian-Americans have been known to develop fat-related illness (e.g., heart disease, diabetes) at a body mass index (BMI) that is much lower than what is considered overweight (i.e., BMI of over 25) by the national standard. Thus, the low rates of obesity in the overall Asian-American population should not lead to the erroneous conclusion that obesity and weight problems are not relevant for this population. Such conclusion not only may further perpetuate the model minority myth, resulting in healthcare disparities, but also may impede the science and research with this population. A scarcity of psychological research has been published on obesity-related issues for Asian Americans. This is a reality that has just begun to change in the psychological community.

It is for this reason that there is a current need to learn and teach more about Asian-American subgroups as it relates to mental health and obesity moving forward. This is an objective that the Ethnicity and Health in America Series has taken on this year. This month we are featuring the work of assistant professor of counseling psychology at New Mexico State University, Hsiu-Lan Cheng, PhD. She is an APA ProDIGs (Promoting Psychological Research and Training on Health Disparities Issues at Ethnic Minority Serving Institutions) fellow and her primary research interests include multicultural issues in mental health (e.g., body image concerns, eating disorders, depression), racial/ethnic disparities in psychological help-seeking and attachment theory and affect regulation. Her goal and identity as a scholar is centered on raising awareness of the diverse body-image related health concerns among all Asian-American populations.

Wang, Y., & Beydoun, M. (2007). The Obesity Epidemic In The United States Gender, Age, Socioeconomic, Racial/Ethnic, And Geographic Characteristics: A Systematic Review And Meta-Regression Analysis. Epidemiologic Reviews, 29 , 6-28. Retrieved April 29, 2015, from https://www.americanobesity.org/downloads/Obesity_epidemic_USA_By_DR_Wang_JohnHopikens.pdfopens in new window

Disordered Eating Among Asian/Asian American Women Racial and Cultural Factors as Correlates
opens in new window 2014
Hsiu-Lan Cheng, PhD

Preface, by Hsiu-Lan Cheng, PhD : In an empirical study with over 500 Asian American women published in The Counseling Psychologist , Cheng (2014) found that Asian-American women, like other women, often internalize Western media beauty ideals, which increase their susceptibility to developing eating pathology. Moreover, Cheng found that ethnic minority stressors, such as racial discrimination and ethnic teasing, further contribute to vulnerability of internalizing media ideals and developing disordered eating symptoms. A strong identification with ethnic values and communities, however, may provide resilience against harmful media messages and unhealthy eating practices. Cheng's findings suggest that minority stressors, such as teasing and ridicule based on ethnic features, send the messages that one's racial/ethnic attributes are not welcomed. Such stressors can increase pressure in young women to adopt Western beauty norms, making them susceptible to developing negative eating behaviors.

Cheng (2014) also proposed practical implications for psychologists and educators. Specifically, psychologists can help their Asian-American women clients reflect and become aware of how ethnic discrimination and teasing has made them self-conscious about their appearance. Particularly, psychologists can help their clients confront racial discrimination and how it impacts their self-appraisal, as well as exploring their level of ethnic identity to increase resilience. In the sociocultural level, society needs to work toward changing how the media portrays beauty as well as work toward preventing racial/ethnic teasing and discrimination. Cheng's study also indicated that it is important to start in schools by educating youth of all groups to appreciate racial and ethnic diversity and for minority students to appreciate their racial physical distinctiveness.

Although internalizing Western media beauty ideals has long been associated with disordered eating symptoms in research, Cheng's (2014) study is an incremental step in understanding how racial and cultural factors impact that internalization and increase risks for body image and eating concerns.

• Mayor's Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairsopens in new window
• National Asian Pacific American Families Against Substance Abuseopens in new window
• The Asian and Pacific Islander Obesity Prevention Allianceopens in new window