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Background. This study examined the effects of acculturation on health behaviors among Korean-Americans in California compared to Koreans in Seoul.Methods. Telephone interviews were conducted with 2,830 Korean-American adults in California (completion rate exceeding 86%) and 500 Korean adults in Seoul (completion of about 50%).Results. Among Korean-Americans, acculturated women were more likely to smoke and drink while acculturated men were more likely to become obese. All Korean-American men reported significantly decreased rates of smoking and drinking compared to Koreans in Seoul. Among both men and women in California, acculturation was associated with high consumption of American foods, and low consumption of traditional Korean foods.Conclusions. These results indicate that more acculturated Korean-Americans were exposed to greater health risk than those who were less acculturated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: The rate and determinants of tobacco prevention and cessation counseling to youth were examined for orthodontists participating in a controlled trial to decrease the incidence of tobacco use among adolescents., Methods: A cross-sectional interview design in private practice offices throughout Southern California was used. The survey was completed with 126 (82%) orthodontists. Clinicians randomly assigned to the experimental group (N = 77) received a 1.5 h workshop, anti-tobacco materials, reimbursement for provision of anti-tobacco prescriptions, and quarterly checkup visits. Control group clinicians (N = 77) did not receive training, materials, or visits., Results: Experimental group clinicians talked to more adolescent nonsmokers about never beginning tobacco use than did control group clinicians (P < 0.05). Experimental group clinicians talked to more adolescent tobacco users than did control group clinicians; however, the difference was not statistically significant. Content and determinants of counseling were affected by participation in the intervention., Conclusions: Though training and support increased prevention and cessation counseling, absolute rates remained less than optimal. Social learning factors were associated with prevention and cessation counseling., (Copyright 1999 American Health Foundation and Academic Press.)

Background: This study evaluated clinicians' compliance with delivering written advice and information against tobacco use (prevention prescriptions) to adolescent patients., Methods: Clinicians in 77 orthodontic offices were trained (and asked) to provide anti-tobacco counseling and prescriptions to 10- to 18-year-olds for 2 years. Each of eight prescriptions was provided for distribution to adolescent patients. Information concerning prescription-tracking methods and operant learning theory variables such as modeling and feedback was obtained using a cross-sectional interview of clinical staff. The proportion of prescriptions written was regressed on possible "determinants." Analyses were replicated for two time periods., Results: Mean anti-tobacco prescription compliance was 66 and 73% for two separate time periods. Multiple regression analyses were computed for the first (R = 0.45, F(7,63) = 2.29, P < 0.001) and second (R = 0.48, F(7,63) = 2.76, P < 0.001) time periods. Prescription tracking and praise from patients were significant correlates for the first time period; praise and modeling were significant for the second time period. Twenty and twenty-three percent, respectively, of the variance in office prescription rate was explained., Conclusions: Results suggest that compliance with primary prevention procedures may be influenced by feedback from patients, staff modeling, and formal office tracking information.

Background: This study identifies correlates of vigorous exercise among minority and low-socioeconomic-status adolescents., Methods: Ninth and 11th grade students completed 1,634 questionnaires regarding vigorous exercise and possible correlates., Results: While 76% of students participated in vigorous exercise 3 or more times per week (the year 2000 goal for the nation), only 55% participated in vigorous exercise 3 or more times per week outside of school. A substantial minority of students (20%) did not participate in any vigorous exercise outside of school, and 11% did not participate in any vigorous exercise at all. Males and 9th graders participated in significantly more vigorous exercise than did females and 11th graders both in school physical education and outside of school. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses with 28 independent variables were computed separately for males (R = 0.44, F(28,625) = 5.27, P < 0.001) and females (R = 0.45, F(28,622) = 5.56, P < 0.001). Correlates were similar for both groups and included self-efficacy, family, and friend support., Conclusions: Results suggest that among minority and lower socioeconomic status adolescents the prevalence of vigorous exercise decreases with age or when students are not required to participate in school physical education and that social factors may be instrumental for sustaining vigorous exercise.

This study was designed to identify correlates of walking for exercise in adults. Over 2,050 (43.4% response rate) responses to a mailed questionnaire were analyzed. Possible correlates of walking were based on learning theory and previous empirical observations. Respondents averaged less than 1 hr of walking for exercise per week. Women and older adults (greater than or equal to 50 years) reported significantly (P less than 0.05) greater walking than men or younger respondents. Multiple regression analyses were conducted for selected subgroups of respondents. Analyses were conducted on subjects who reported no regular vigorous exercise. Multiple correlation coefficients ranged from 0.32 to 0.48, and most reached significance (P less than 0.05). For the most sedentary subgroups, self-efficacy, family and friend support, and consumption of a heart-healthy diet were repeatedly associated with walking for exercise. It was concluded that an economically secure and well-educated Caucasian sample performs an inadequate amount of walking to ensure benefits such as prevention of cardiovascular disease. Longitudinal analyses are required to confirm the influence of social learning variables. Tentatively, interventions that increase family and friends' support for walking and that enhance perceived self-efficacy should be developed.