UC Irvine

Objectives

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.