Asian Americans and cardiometabolic risk why and how to study them

Cardiometabolic Health in Asian American Children

BACKGROUND

The aim was to compare cardiometabolic health between Asian American children and Non-Hispanic White (NHW) children as well as to compare cardiometabolic health among Asian American children by birthplace.

METHODS

Children aged 6-17 years enrolled in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2011 to 2018 who self-identified as non-Hispanic Asian and NHW were included. Among Asian Americans, place of birth was defined as foreign born vs United States (US) born. Regression models were adjusted for age, sex, household income, food insecurity, passive smoke exposure, and body mass index (BMI) z-score.

RESULTS

Among 3369 children, 8.4% identified as Asian American (age 11.7 years) and 91.6% identified as NHW (age 11.7 years). Compared to NHW children, Asian American children had significantly lower BMI z-scores and odds of obesity. Asian American children had higher HOMA-IR, and greater odds of dyslipidemia and microalbuminuria compared to NHW children. Among Asian Americans, 30.5% were foreign born. Compared to foreign-born Asian American children, US-born Asian American children had significantly higher non-HDL, triglycerides, and uric acid, lower HDL, and lower odds of hyperfiltration. There were no differences in blood pressure by racial group or place of birth.

CONCLUSIONS

Although Asian American children have lower odds of obesity, they have significantly worse glucose intolerance, more dyslipidemia, and more microalbuminuria compared to NHW children. US-born Asian American children have worse cardiometabolic health profiles compared to foreign-born Asian Americans.

Cardiometabolic Health in Asian American Children

Background

The aim was to compare cardiometabolic health between Asian American children and Non-Hispanic White (NHW) children as well as to compare cardiometabolic health among Asian American children by birthplace.

Methods

Children aged 6-17 years enrolled in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2011-2018 who self-identified as non-Hispanic Asian and NHW were included. Among Asian Americans, place of birth was defined as foreign-born vs United States (US)-born. Regression models were adjusted for age, sex, household income, food insecurity, passive smoke exposure, and body mass index (BMI) z-score.

Results

Among 3369 children, 8.4% identified as Asian American (age 11.7 years) and 91.6% identified as NHW (age 11.7 years). Compared to NHW children, Asian American children had significantly lower BMI z-scores and odds of obesity. Asian American children had higher HOMA-IR and uric acid, and greater odds of dyslipidemia, microalbuminuria and glomerular hyperfiltration compared to NHW children. Among Asian Americans, 30.5% were foreign-born. Compared to foreign-born Asian American children, US-born Asian American children had significantly higher non-HDL, triglycerides, HOMA-IR and uric acid, lower HDL, and lower odds of hyperfiltration. There were no differences in blood pressure by racial group or place of birth.

Conclusions

Although Asian American children have lower odds of obesity, they have significantly worse glucose intolerance, higher serum uric acid levels, more dyslipidemia and more microalbuminuria compared to NHW children. US-born Asian American children have worse cardiometabolic health profiles compared to foreign-born Asian Americans.

Type 2 diabetes among Asian Americans: Prevalence and prevention

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a growing problem among Asian Americans. Based on the Centers for Disease Control, the age-adjusted prevalence of T2DM for Asian Americans is 9%, placing them at “moderate risk”. However differential patterns of disease burden emerge when examining disaggregated data across Asian American ethnic groups; with Filipino, Pacific Islander, Japanese, and South Asian groups consistently described as having the highest prevalence of T2DM. Disentangling and strengthening prevalence data is vital for on-going prevention efforts. The strongest evidence currently available to guide the prevention of T2DM in the United States comes from a large multicenter randomized clinical control trial called the Diabetes Prevention Program, which targets individual lifestyle behavior changes. It has been translated and adopted for some Asian American groups, and shows promise. However stronger study designs and attention to several key methodological considerations will improve the science. Increased attention has also been directed toward population level downstream prevention efforts. Building an infrastructure that includes both individual and population approaches is needed to prevent T2DM among Asian American populations, and is essential for reducing health disparities.

Towards a conceptual model of diabetes self-management among Chinese immigrants in the United States

Background: Chinese immigrants have been disproportionally affected by type 2 diabetes. This paper presents the state of science regarding the factors that may influence diabetes self-management among Chinese immigrants in the US and the potential health outcomes. Design: Using Walker and Avant’s techniques, a search of the literature was conducted from CINAHL, PubMed, OVID, and Web of Science. Findings: Factors most relevant to diabetes self-management were grouped under five categories: socio-demographic characteristics, behavioral and psychological characteristics, social support, linguistic barriers, and cultural characteristics. Potential outcomes derived from improved diabetes self-management include quality of life, glycosylated hemoglobin, and blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors. Discussion: A conceptual model was provided to guide future research. Based on the review of the literature, specific research topics that need to fill the gaps in the literature were provided, including family-focused interventions for Chinese immigrant patients with diabetes and the effectiveness of these interventions to improve family functioning.