Abstract
Physical activity, maintaining healthy weight, eating fruits and vegetables, and non-smoking are health behaviors that reduce
risk for a variety of poor health outcomes. This analysis reports frequencies and socio-demographic correlates of these behaviors
among 381 Cambodians aged 25 and older surveyed in Lowell, MA. The majority reported some physical activity (72 %), healthy
weight (62 %), and not smoking (77 %). Only 28 % reported adequate fruit and vegetable consumption. Four multivariable models
indicate that (1) physical activity was associated with higher income, lower levels of US education, reading English, and
living in the US 11–19 years; (2) healthy weight with living in the US 20 or more years; (3) not smoking with being female
and living in the US less than 11 years; and (4) adequate fruit and vegetable consumption with lower levels of US education
and reading English. These results inform public health planning for Cambodians.
risk for a variety of poor health outcomes. This analysis reports frequencies and socio-demographic correlates of these behaviors
among 381 Cambodians aged 25 and older surveyed in Lowell, MA. The majority reported some physical activity (72 %), healthy
weight (62 %), and not smoking (77 %). Only 28 % reported adequate fruit and vegetable consumption. Four multivariable models
indicate that (1) physical activity was associated with higher income, lower levels of US education, reading English, and
living in the US 11–19 years; (2) healthy weight with living in the US 20 or more years; (3) not smoking with being female
and living in the US less than 11 years; and (4) adequate fruit and vegetable consumption with lower levels of US education
and reading English. These results inform public health planning for Cambodians.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-8
- DOI 10.1007/s10903-012-9620-8
- Authors
- Susan Koch-Weser, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02186, USA
- Sidney Liang, Lowell Community Health Center, Lowell, MA, USA
- Dorcas Grigg-Saito, Lowell Community Health Center, Lowell, MA, USA
- Robin Toof, Center for Family, Work and Community, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA
- Journal Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
- Online ISSN 1557-1920
- Print ISSN 1557-1912