Immigration and acculturation in relation to health and health-related risk factors among specific Asian subgroups in a health maintenance organization

Objectives. We sought to determine how risk factors for disease vary among Asian subgroups. Methods. Using data from a case-control study conducted at Northern California Kaiser Medical Centers (from 1996 to 2001), we compared prevalence of selected risk factors among Asian subgroups and evaluated the associations of these risk factors with sociodemographic factors. Results. Chinese and Japanese patients had a lower body mass index (kg/m(2)) than did other Asians. In all subgroups, being born in the United States was associated with having a body mass index greater than 25 kg/m(2). Compared with other Asians, more Japanese and multiple-race Asians smoked, and more Filipino and multiple-race Asian smokers started smoking at 18 years or younger. Filipinos and multiple-race Asians also were more likely to report diabetes. Conclusions. These data support the importance of efforts to distinguish among Asian subgroups in public health practice and research.