Researchers have reported higher rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD) clinical risk factors including diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension, and dyslipidemia in Asian-Indians. We sought to examine lifestyle/behavioral CVD risk factors overall and by vegetarian/non-vegetarian status, as well as CVD clinical risk factors in Asian-Indian men compared to white non-Hispanic men (WNH). Eligible men were recruited from Kaiser Permanente Southern and Northern California into the California Men’s Health Study (CMHS) Cohort between 2002-2003. Asian-Indians more often reported a healthy BMI (18.5-24.9), and consumed <30% calories from fat compared to WNHs. Among healthy weight men, Asian-Indians were less likely to eat 5 or more fruit and vegetables a day. Overall, Asian-Indians were more likely to have never smoked and to abstain from alcohol. Asian-Indians were less likely to report moderate/vigorous physical activity > 3.5 hours/week. Vegetarians more often consumed a lower fat diet compared to non-vegetarians [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 3.22; (95% Confidence Interval) (95% CI) 2.80-3.71]. Vegetarians reported consuming more fruits and vegetables; however a statistically significant difference was not detected among Asian-Indians. Further, WNH vegetarians reported less sedentary activity [AOR = 0.65; 95% CI 0.54-0.78] and more moderate/vigorous physical activity [AOR = 1.87; 95% CI 1.55-2.25] than WNH non-vegetarians, however this was not the case among Asian-Indians. We found Asian-Indians had higher rates of DM and dyslipidemia compared to WNHs. Asian-Indians more often had lower mean systolic, diastolic and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels compared to WNHs. Although control of hypertension and dyslipidemia was similar in the two populations, overall only 50% of men had LDL and triglyceride levels under the target values for control. Our examination of lifestyle related CVD risk factors found evidence for both potentially protective and harmful health behaviors among Asian-Indian men. Overall, we found that WNH vegetarians lead a healthier lifestyle (consuming lower fat diets and more fruits and vegetables, and participating in more physical activity and less sedentary behaviors) compared to non-vegetarians. Finally, our examination of clinical CVD risk factors found evidence for increased clinical risk factors (DM and dyslipidemia) and clustering of clinical risk factors for CVD among Asian-Indians.
Subject (authority = RUETD)
Topic
Public Health
Subject (authority = ETD-LCSH)
Topic
East Indian Americans--Health and hygiene--New Jersey
RelatedItem (type = host)
TitleInfo
Title
Rutgers University Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Identifier (type = RULIB)
ETD
Identifier
ETD_3873
PhysicalDescription
Form (authority = gmd)
electronic resource
InternetMediaType
application/pdf
InternetMediaType
text/xml
Extent
viii, 52 p. : ill.
Note (type = degree)
Ph.D.
Note (type = bibliography)
Includes bibliographical references
Note (type = vita)
Includes vita
Note (type = statement of responsibility)
by Nirupa Rajendra Ghai
Subject (authority = ETD-LCSH)
Topic
Cardiovascular system--Diseases--Risk factors--New Jersey
Rutgers University. Graduate School - New Brunswick
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License
Name
Author Agreement License
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