Premium
Metabolic syndrome and its related factors among A sian immigrant women in K orea
Author(s) -
Yang Sook Ja,
Chee Yeon Kyung,
Kim Jung A,
An Jisook
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
nursing and health sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.563
H-Index - 47
eISSN - 1442-2018
pISSN - 1441-0745
DOI - 10.1111/nhs.12116
Subject(s) - immigration , metabolic syndrome , body mass index , medicine , gerontology , endocrinology , psychological intervention , lipoprotein , demography , obesity , cholesterol , sociology , geography , archaeology , psychiatry
In this study, we examined the prevalence and risk factors of metabolic syndrome among A sian immigrant women in K orea based on sociodemographics and health behavior‐related characteristics. The sample included 271 women from the P hilippines, C hina, V ietnam, and other A sian countries through marriage. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and health examination. Among 67 immigrants who had complete data for determination of metabolic syndrome, 1.5% reported having metabolic syndrome, and 44.4% of the entire sample had reduced high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, which is four times higher than their K orean‐born counterparts. After controlling for age, there were significant differences in body mass index, depending on the country of origin, and weight change since immigration. Immigrants who had gained weight since immigration also had higher systolic blood pressure and triglycerides. As well as weight change, immigrants who always consumed high‐fat diets were at risk of higher triglycerides. Immigrants living in urban areas had lower high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol. In order to reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome, interventions should be directed toward the prevention of weight gain and lower fat intake after immigrating to K orea.