Asian American / Asian Research Institute
The City University of New York
Obesity is a national epidemic as population studies point to increased trends occurring in Asian Americans. A qualitative study was conducted to identify perceptions of obesity risk and prevention in Chinese American adults residing in the New York metropolitan area. The researchers will discuss social psychological, cultural, and environmental factors that influence obesity risk in Chinese Americans. Insights on nutrition recommendations to prevent obesity will also be presented.
Online Notes
Doreen Liou, EdD, RDN, is currently associate professor at Montclair State University in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, where she teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in nutrition education and social marketing of health behaviors. Her research interests include applications of social psychological theories of health behavior in Chinese Americans and nutrition education of minority populations. She holds a doctorate degree in nutrition education from Teachers College/Columbia University.
Kathleen Bauer, PhD, RD is a Professor of Nutrition and coordinator of the Nutrition and Food Science major at Montclair State University. Currently she is involved in several cultural and academic research projects regarding psychosocial factors related to obesity among Chinese-Americans and methodology for gaining cultural competence. Her most recent publications include first authorship of a textbook on Nutrition Counseling and Education Skill Development, and chapters for books on psychosocial models related to obesity and gaining cultural competence in community nutrition. Dr. Bauer’s applied experience includes directing a nutrition counseling clinic, developing wellness programs for fitness centers and corporations and consulting for nursing homes. Honors include American Dietetic Association 2002 Outstanding Dietetic Educator for Area VII and the Gallo Award for Outstanding Cancer Research from the Cancer Institute of New Jersey.