91桃色

Abstract

Background: Previous research has shown that weight management behaviors vary across cultures. Further understanding of cultural differences related to weight management behaviors would allow more culturally competent weight management interventions and research. Objective: To investigate how culture influences weight management behaviors in American compared to Taiwanese college students. Method: An IRB approved sample of 117 Americans and 55 Taiwanese college students completed surveys related to lifestyle behaviors and provided anthropometric measurements. A subsample of 26 Taiwanese and 24 American participants was matched on BMI, gender, and age, to more fully assess the individual impact of culture on weight management behaviors. Results: The American sample was significantly (p < .05) higher in frequency of reading food labels, planning meals, checking weight, and other weight management behaviors per week than the Taiwanese sample. Whereas, the Taiwanese sample was significantly higher in drinking soda, and spending two or more hours watching TV and/or playing video games per week than the Americans were. A composite lifestyle score was computed which revealed significant overall differences (Mean American sample=33.4 & mean Taiwanese sample=5.8, p < .001). Conclusions: Hence, this cultural comparison supports that American college students tend to have an increased amount of healthy lifestyle behaviors than the Taiwanese college students even after controlling for BMI, age, and gender. Furthermore, these findings can provide further ignition for future studies on multicultural weight management as affected by lifestyle behavior variations.

Biography

Christina Tsoi is an undergraduate student at Utah Valley University majoring in Behavioral Science, with an emphasis in Psychology. She has been a research assistant for Dr. Christopher Anderson, Ph.D. and Dr. Ron Hammond, Ph.D. for four months. Anticipated graduation, fall 2016.

Email: tsoichristinamarie@gmail.com