(1) Background: Despite having consistently lower rates of obesity than other ethnic groups, Asian Americans (AAs) are more likely to be identified as metabolically obese, suggesting an ethnic-specific association between BMI and cardiometabolic outcomes. The goal of this study was to provide an estimate of metabolic syndrome (MetS) prevalence among AAs using national survey data and to compare this rate to that of non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs) over the BMI continuum. (2) Methods: Using the NHANES 2011–2016 data, we computed age-adjusted, gender-specific prevalence of MetS and its individual components for three BMI categories. Furthermore, we conducted multivariate binary logistic regression to examine the risk of MetS in AAs compared to NHWs, controlling for sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. The analysis sample consisted of 2121 AAs and 6318 NHWs. (3) Results: Among AAs, the prevalence of MetS and its components increased with higher BMI levels, with overall prevalence being 5.23% for BMI < 23, 38.23% for BMI of 23–27.4, and 77.68% for BMI ≥ 27.5 in men; and 18.61% for BMI < 23, 47.82% for BMI of 23–27.4, and 67.73% for BMI ≥ 27.5 in women. We also found that for those with a BMI > 23, AAs had a higher predicted risk of MetS than their NHW counterparts of the same BMI level, in both men and women. (4) Conclusions: Our findings support the use of lower BMI ranges for defining overweight and obesity in Asian populations, which would allow for earlier and more appropriate screening for MetS and may better facilitate prevention efforts.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection disproportionately affects Asian Americans in the United States, while this population faces low adherence to HBV treatment. Using the information–motivation–behavioral skills model (IMB), the study aims to examine medication adherence and persistence among Chinese and Vietnamese people with HBV. Methodology: Study participants were recruited between March 2019 and March 2020 and were enrolled through multiple recruitment approaches in the Greater Philadelphia Area and New York City. The study is an assessment of the baseline data on medication adherence, HBV-related knowledge, motivation of HBV medication treatment, self-efficacy about HBV medication treatment, and socioeconomic status. Results: Among 165 participants, 77.6% were Chinese and 22.4% were Vietnamese Americans. HBV-related knowledge/information, motivation, and self-efficacy were all positively associated with having medium/high medication adherence. Multilevel mixed-effects generalized linear regression revealed that living more than 10 years in the U.S. (OR = 4.24; p = 0.028) and greater information–knowledge about HBV (OR = 1.46; p = 0.004) were statistically associated with higher odds of medium/high medication adherence. Moreover, greater HBV-related knowledge/information (OR = 1.49; p = 0.023) and greater motivation towards HBV treatment adherence (OR = 1.10; p = 0.036) were both associated with a higher likelihood of medication persistence. Conclusion: Our findings provided significant implications in designing behavioral interventions focused on self-efficacy, information, and motivation to promote better medication adherence among Asian Americans living with HBV.

Background: Subjective memory impairment (SMI) is associated with negative health outcomes including mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease. However, ethnic differences in SMI and disparities in risk factors associated with SMI among minority populations are understudied. The study examined the ethnic differences in SMI, whether SMI was associated with depressive symptoms, sleep, and physical activity (PA), and whether the associations vary across racial/ethnic groups. Methods: Participants included 243 African and Asian Americans (including Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean Americans) aged 50 or older. Demographic information, SMI, depressive symptoms, daily sleeping hours, and PA levels were assessed. Results: Vietnamese Americans reported the highest SMI score. Depressive symptoms, sleeping hours, and PA levels were significantly associated with SMI. Depressive symptoms were the only significant factor across all ethnic groups. Significant interaction effects were found between ethnicity and health behaviors in predicting SMI. In particular, Vietnamese American participants with greater depressive symptoms and physical inactivity were significantly more likely to experience SMI compared to other ethnic groups Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate ethnic differences in SMI and its association with depressive symptoms, sleep, and PA, which highlight the importance of considering the unique cultural and historical backgrounds across different racial/ethnic groups when examining cognitive functioning in elderly.

Introduction: Regular participation in physical activity (PA) can prevent chronic disease and mental illness across the lifespan and during later adulthood. Few PA interventions have been implemented in underserved Filipino American women to address health related outcomes among this population. Purpose: This study assessed the effect of a culturally relevant community-based Zumba® program on anthropometrics, physical fitness, and exercise motivation among midlife Filipino women. Methods: We employed a single-group pretest-posttest design. Twenty-one female participants were recruited from Filipino community-based organizations (CBOs) in the Greater Philadelphia region. Sixteen female participants (N=16, M age = 55.88, SD = ± 9.479) completed the 8-week program, which consisted of attending three Zumba classes per week at the Filipino CBOs, which was led by a certified Zumba instructor of Filipino ethnicity. A paired samples t-test was conducted to detect the differences between the pre-and post-outcome measures. Results: A total of 16 out of 21 participants completed the intervention and the post-intervention assessment (76% retention rate). Adherence to the Zumba classes was 42.46% among participants who completed the post-intervention. With regards to pre- and post- primary outcome measures, there was a significant reduction in body weight (-3.18±2.61 lbs., p 2, p = 0.002), and increase in flexibility (1.93±3.22 cm, p = 0.035) among participants. There were no statistically significant differences in exercise motivation inventory (EMI-2) subscales, except affiliation scores increased among participants overall (-0.750±1.38, p = 0.047). Discussion: The incorporation of this community-based program can be a promising approach for potentially enhancing health outcomes for underserved Asian American populations such as Filipino Americans. Future research can examine the long-term impacts of Zumba and other exercise modalities for chronic disease prevention and management.

Background: Physical activity (PA) is a strong contributor to enhancing a healthy lifestyle and preventing numerous chronic diseases. As ethnic minorities engage in low levels of PA, psychosocial and activity-based interventions for sustaining PA are crucial. Methods: The 6-month intervention incorporated culturally tailored educational workshops and weekly PA classes at a community center. Educational workshops were led by six trained community health workers (CHWs). Participants (n=37) completed pre- and post-intervention questionnaires regarding PA related self-efficacy, outcome expectations, social support, enjoyment, self-regulation, goal setting, and overall PA. Results: Following the intervention, study participants exhibited increases in weekly PA levels. Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test revealed higher median scores for Exercise Self-Efficacy Scale (ESES), Identified Regulation, and Intrinsic Motivation. Positive changes were observed for Physical Outcome Expectations, Social Outcome Expectations, Self-Evaluative Outcome Expectations, Physical Activity Enjoyment, Social Support for Exercise Scale – Family, Social Support for Exercise – Friends, and Exercise Goal-Setting. Conclusion: Community-based PA interventions may provide potential benefits to Filipino Americans, an ethnic Asian minority group, in identifying exercise benefits, developing proper exercise goals, increasing motivation, promoting PA behavior, and facilitating long-term PA adherence.

Physical activity (PA) serves a critical role in maintaining health and preventing chronic diseases, though its influence on high-risk Asian American populations is unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine PA levels among Filipino and Korean Americans at high risk of hypertension and to identify sociodemographic and health-related factors associated with PA levels in these populations. A cross-sectional survey was administered to 137 participants in the Greater Philadelphia Area. Data was collected on PA levels, sociodemographic factors, and health factors. Multinomial logistic regression was conducted to determine predictors associated with low, moderate, and high PA and predictive probabilities were calculated for interaction terms, incorporating ethnicity and blood pressure variables. Overall, 42.33% of participants belonged to the moderately active PA group and 21.90% belonged to the highly active group. In the final multinomial regression model, it was found that having gone to college increased the odds of being in the moderately active PA group (coef. = 1.96, p = 0.034), while having high blood pressure reduced the odds of being in the moderately active PA group (coef. = −2.21, p = 0.022). Lastly, being Korean versus Filipino reduced the odds of being in the highly active category (coef. = −2.89, p = 0.035). Based on predictive probabilities, Koreans and Filipinos with high blood pressure were more likely to belong in the low active PA category (52.31% and 46.33%). These findings highlight the need for culturally relevant PA interventions for promoting and increasing PA levels to prevent and manage hypertension among these populations.