Stress is associated with unfavorable patterns of dietary intake among female Chinese immigrants

Abstract

Background: Chinese immigrants experience increased risk for weight gain and chronic disease after US migration. Whether psychosocial stress affects their eating behavior is unknown. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine psychosocial stress and dietary intake among 426 Chinese immigrant women in the Philadelphia region. Methods: Participants completed 4 days of dietary recalls and questionnaires assessing positive and negative life events in the past year and migration-related stressors. Results: In hierarchical linear regression models, positive life events were associated with higher energy intake (β∈=∈21.1, p∈=∈0.04). Migration-related stress was associated with lower total gram (β∈=∈-11.3, p∈