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The Association Between Perceived Discrimination and Body Mass Index (BMI) Among Asian American Women Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Uyen-Sa D. T. Nguyen

    (Department of Population & Community Health, College of Public Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA)

  • Hyeouk Chris Hahm

    (School of Social Work, Boston University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Sarpong Boateng

    (Department of Population & Community Health, College of Public Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
    Yale New Haven Health, Bridgeport Hospital, Bridgeport, CT 06610, USA)

  • Phuong Khanh Tran

    (Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, College of Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA)

  • Rajesh Gururaghavendran

    (Department of Health Outcomes and Biomedical Informatics, Institute for Child Health Policy, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA)

  • Yvette C. Cozier

    (School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

We examined the association between perceived discrimination and body mass index (BMI) in Asian American (AA) women before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The data used were from the Epidemiology/Epigenetics of Asian Women’s Action for Resilience and Empowerment (Epi AWARE) study, which enrolled 157 AA women aged 18 to 59 between December 2019 and September 2022. Two sets of questions measured “everyday” (e.g., “How often do people act as if you are dishonest?”) and “lifetime” (e.g., “unfair treatment due to your race at school”) discrimination. Responses were combined, creating a cumulative score, and dichotomized into “no” versus “any” discrimination. Self-reported height and weight were used to calculate BMI, dichotomized as <25 kg/m 2 and ≥25 kg/m 2 . Multivariable binomial regression estimated risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Overall, women reporting any versus no discrimination were more likely to be classified as having a BMI ≥ 25 kg/m 2 (RR = 2.09; 95% CI: 1.06–4.13). The RR for women who responded during the COVID-19 pandemic (20 March 2020 or later) was 2.65 (95% CI: 0.82–8.58); the RR for pre-pandemic response was 1.93 (95% CI: 0.75–5.01). Our data suggest that experiences of racism may impact BMI among AA women. Further research is needed to identify mechanisms and design appropriate interventions.

Suggested Citation

  • Uyen-Sa D. T. Nguyen & Hyeouk Chris Hahm & Sarpong Boateng & Phuong Khanh Tran & Rajesh Gururaghavendran & Yvette C. Cozier, 2025. "The Association Between Perceived Discrimination and Body Mass Index (BMI) Among Asian American Women Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(5), pages 1-14, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:5:p:661-:d:1640018
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sawyer, P.J. & Major, B. & Casad, B.J. & Townsend, S.S.M. & Mendes, W.B., 2012. "Discrimination and the stress response: Psychological and physiological consequences of anticipating prejudice in interethnic interactions," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 102(5), pages 1020-1026.
    2. Mina Lee & In Young Park & Michael Park & Phuong Khanh Tran & Yvette C. Cozier & Hyeouk Chris Hahm, 2023. "COVID-19-Related Racial Discrimination during Lockdown and Its Impact on Asian American Women," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(16), pages 1-13, August.
    3. Hunte, H.E.R. & Williams, D.R., 2009. "The association between perceived discrimination and obesity in a population-based multiracial and multiethnic adult sample," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 99(7), pages 1285-1292.
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