Prevalence of obesity in a native Hawaiian population

Article Abstract:

Obesity is associated with an increased risk for mortality and morbidity from high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and digestive diseases. The results of a recent study showed that obesity is more common among Native Hawaiians than in other groups in Hawaii; 18 percent of the people living in Hawaii were reported to be overweight (20 percent or more over their ideal body weight), while 42 percent of Native Hawaiians were overweight. The results of a study performed between 1982 and 1987 showed that Native Hawaiians have the highest mortality of any ethnic group living in the US. Native Hawaiians have death rates from heart disease, diabetes, and cancer that are 44 percent greater, 22 percent greater, and 39 percent greater, respectively, than the entire US population. To identify risk factors that may be associated with these high death rates, the dietary habits, body weight, and body fat distribution of 257 Native Hawaiians living in Molokai were evaluated. Sixty-six percent of all of the men were overweight, and 79 percent of those between the ages of 25 and 34 were overweight. Sixty-three percent of the women were overweight, and women between the ages of 45 and 54 were the heaviest. Forty-seven percent of the men and 34 percent of the women were severely overweight. The overall rate of obesity in this population was 45 percent. Both the men and women in this study had large amounts of abdominal fat, which has been shown to increase the risk of mortality from heart disease. The traditional Hawaiian diet, which included fresh fruits, vegetables, and fish, has changed to include more processed and fast-service foods, canned meats and fatty snack foods. It is concluded that the Native Hawaiians of Molokai have one of the highest rates of obesity in the nation, along with an associated shortened life span. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Hawaiians, Molokai

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Body fat and obesity in Japanese Americans

Article Abstract:

The relationship between obesity and coronary heart disease (CHD) has been well established. Previous studies have shown that populations that have a high incidence of obesity also have a high incidence of diseases that are associated with obesity. It has been known for some time that CHD is more common in the US than in Japan. More recently, a study reported that the incidence of CHD among Japanese men who had migrated to the US fell between the incidence of CHD reported in Japan and in the US. To further investigate this area, body weight, body height, and dietary habits of Japanese men living in California and Hawaii were compared with Japanese men living in Japan. The study included more than 12,000 Japanese men between the ages of 45 and 69. Body weight and height were used to determine the body mass index (BMI, a measure of obesity calculated as body weight in kilograms divided by height measured in square meters, kg/m2). The average BMI of Japanese men living in California was similar to the average BMI of those living in Hawaii. However, the mean BMI of Japanese men living in Japan was lower than the mean BMI of Japanese men living in the US for all age groups studied. Even though the Japanese men living in Japan had a lower BMI and lower incidence of obesity than those living in the US, the amount of calories consumed on a daily basis was the same for both groups. The subjects living in Hawaii ate twice as much fat as those living in Japan. Based on these findings, it is concluded that Japanese immigrants to the US experience an increase in body weight, which may increase their risk for CHD. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Risk factors, Coronary heart disease, Japanese Americans

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Obesity in minority populations: policy implications of research

Article Abstract:

Obesity is an important health concern for many Americans; it is estimated that 25 percent of all adults are obese. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, conducted from 1976 to 1980, and the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination survey, conducted from 1982 to 1984, reported that 44 percent of black women over the age of 20 are obese, and that 34 to 39 percent of Hispanic women over the age of 20 are obese. Obesity represents a serious health problem because it can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and is associated with certain types of cancer. It is reasonable to expect that the minority populations with the highest incidence of obesity will have the highest incidence of diseases that are associated with obesity. Factors that have been reported to influence the development of obesity include physical activity, diet, ethnicity, education, income, and genetic susceptibility. In recent years, it has become apparent that the location or distribution of body fat is important. Several studies have reported that people with most of their body fat around their waist (central obesity) have a higher risk of heart disease than those who have most of their body fat on the lower parts of their body. These studies have reported that people with central obesity also have higher levels of sugar (glucose) and fat (triglycerides) in their blood, increasing their risk of developing diabetes and heart disease, respectively. Future studies should focus on developing ways of controlling obesity that are directed at specific subgroups as well as the overall population. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Behavior, Minorities

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