Confronting Obesity: 2025 NAPCA Virtual Briefing

Описание: Panel Description:
Obesity is a significant health burden for AANHPI older adults, contributing to complications such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. AANHPI individuals have a higher rate of diabetes that other communities, which is why the American Diabetes Association recommended that AANHPI populations get screened at a lower BMI level of 23 than the recommended 25 for the general population. This also highlights the issue of how traditional measurements may understate the prevalence and risks of obesity and related illnesses within AANHPI communities.

Moreover, while obesity affects the AANHPI population broadly, it is also essential to avoid treating the communities as a monolith. Certain subgroups face even higher rates of obesity-related illnesses. For example, obesity rates exceed 40% in many Pacific Islander communities. Numerous social determinants of health contribute to these high rates, underscoring the need for inclusive education, targeted screening efforts, and additional resources to address this critical issue.

Ultimately, the goals of this panel are to raise awareness about obesity as a disease and its specific impact on AANHPI populations, promote collaborative efforts among stakeholders, and encourage the development of targeted interventions. By addressing both medical and social factors contributing to obesity, we aim to empower AANHPI communities to combat this pressing issue, leading to improved health outcomes and a better quality of life.

Speakers:
Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40), U.S. House of Representatives (Introductory Remarks)
Nancy Glick, Director of Public Policy: Food, Nutrition, and Obesity, National Consumers League
Dr. Jennifer Ng, Doctor of Internal Medicine, Mount Sinai
Didier Trinh, National Director, Diverse Elders Coalition
Clayton Fong, President & CEO, NAPCA (Moderator)

Resources:
https://diverseelders.org/wp-content/...
https://diverseelders.org/wp-content/...
https://nclnet.org/weight-truth/
https://right2obesitycare.org/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles...
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles...
https://www.sciencedirect.com/special...

Learn more about the National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA) at www.napca.org.