Author and graduation date: Heidi SARMIENTO, June, 1998

Committee members: Audrey A. Spindler (Chari), Ofelia Dirige, Michael Buono

Thesis title: Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Acculturation Among Filipino Women in San Diego County

Health and nutritional status information about different groups of Asian Americans is limited. Currently Filipinos are the second most populous of the Asian American groups, but they are expected to become the largest by the year 2000. Reportedly, Filipino Americans weigh more and have a higher prevalence of hypertension than other Asian American groups. We determined blood pressure, skinfold thickness (triceps, suprailiac, and thigh), height weight, waist and hip girths, dietary intake nutrition knowledge about cardiovascular risk factors, self-efficacy and cultural beliefs about health practices in 25 First and 25 Second Generation Filipino American women. As expected the Second Generation women were heavier than First Generation women and significant differences were found in Body Mass Index (p<0.02), waist to hip ratio (p<0.001), and percent bod fat (p<0.001) between the two groups. The First Generation women scored significantly lower on exercise questions (p<0.000001) and their self-esteem was lower (p<0.000001) than the Second Generation women. Second Generation women ate significantly more protein (p<0.05) than First Generation women. Both groups consumed diets high in sodium exceeding 3,000 mg/day. Thirty-five percent of First and 20% of Second Generation women reported that they visited folk healers and ate arroz caldo (Filipino chicken soup with rice and garlic) when they were ill. A greater percentage of dietary protein, more knowledge about exercise, and higher self-efficacy scores suggest that acculturation is greater in Second than in First Generation women, even though most of the Second Generation retain some cultural health practices regarding treatment and foods to eat to relieve specific complaints.

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