It looks like this is another category we are no longer leading.
Fat epidemic hits Asian kids, too
State campaign aims to curb growing obesity among young Asian and Pacific Islander Americans.
By MOMO CHANG
McClatchy-Tribune
Despite the stereotype that Asians are petite and skinny, studies show this population is rapidly becoming overweight – so much so that a state agency in California is targeting Asian and Pacific Islander Americans in a campaign.
Asian Americans have the fastest growing rate of overweight and obese children, according to the Asian American Network for Cancer Awareness, Research, and Training.
“Asian American families tend to be less physically active, more home-oriented and more screen-oriented than other groups, which can create obesity issues,” said Kris Perry, executive director of First 5 California, a state agency that recently launched an awareness campaign.
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Asian teens consume more fast food than their white counterparts, according to a California Health Interview Survey, or CHIS, 2005 survey. Forty-three percent ate fast food daily, compared to 35 percent of white teens.
Asian and Pacific Islander children compared to other ethnic and racial groups are also least likely to get their daily portions of fruits and veggies, according to a CHIS survey from 2001-2003.
And Asian and Pacific Islander children are the least physically active of all racial and ethnic groups. Only 57 percent of Asian Americans between 11 and 17 had vigorous physical activity in a week, according to a 2001-2003 CHIS survey. (more…)
