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Accessing dietary intakes, body mass index (BMI) and health behaviors in Native Hawaiians residing in Southern California.
Design
Cross-sectional, community based participatory research.
Participants
Native Hawaiian (N = 55); Mean age 59 (± 15).
Main outcome measures
Diet, body mass index (BMI), and diet/exercise health behaviors. Collected diet via 24-hr dietary recalls, health behaviors through questionnaires and BMI via measurement/self-report.
Analysis
Frequencies/means and multiple linear regression were used to assess diet, BMI, and health behaviors.
Results
Nearly 90% of the participants were either overweight or obese. Less than 20% met the vegetable, fruit, fiber, and whole grain recommendations. Most were a little or somewhat sure (relative to almost always sure) about their ability "to stick with an exercise program when attending a cultural gathering", and "when visiting Hawai'i".
Conclusions and implications
These results suggest that developing a culturally-based education program to reduce obesity and improve diet is critical for Native Hawaiians residing in Southern California.
