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Acculturation Factors and Metabolic Syndrome Among Japanese-Brazilian Men in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study

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Abstract

This study examines the acculturation effects on metabolic syndrome (MetS), and its related factors, among immigrant Japanese-Brazilian men in Japan. Quantitative and qualitative approaches were utilized. In the quantitative study (n = 149), multiple logistic regression analyses estimated the impact of length of residence and arrival age on MetS. For the qualitative study, five focus group discussions were conducted with participants (n = 26) from the quantitative study sample. The oldest arrival age group was more likely to have MetS (OR, 95 % CI 4.41, 1.09–17.78) after adjusting for covariates; whereas, length of residence had no association with MetS. The oldest arrival age group, with shorter residence period, was also associated with increased MetS prevalence. Qualitative results identified participants’ Brazilian dietary habits as being potential risk factors for MetS. Japanese-Brazilian immigrant men with older arrival age in Japan were more likely to suffer from MetS, especially shortly after arrival.

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Acknowledgments

Authors extend our thanks to Tamie Arakaki, Eduardo Iijima, and Kaori Miyahara for research arrangements and to Dr. Grace Stanley and Janie Ikegami for their valuable comments. This study was supported by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C) from The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science: No. 19592586.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Community and Global Health, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan

    Marie Tashiro, Junko Yasuoka & Masamine Jimba

  2. Department of Nursing, Baika Women’s University, 2-19-5, Syukunosho, Ibaraki, Osaka, 567-8578, Japan

    Marie Tashiro

  3. Department of Public Health, School of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts, 316 Arnold House, 715 North Pleasant St, Amherst, MA, 01003-9304, USA

    Krishna C. Poudel

  4. Department of Diabetes and Metabolic Medicine, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, 1-21-1, Toyama, Shinjyuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8655, Japan

    Hiroshi Noto

  5. Department of Nursing, Japan Red Cross Toyota College of Nursing, 12-33, Nanamagari, Hakusan-cho, Toyota, Aichi, 471-8565, Japan

    Miho Masuo

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  1. Marie Tashiro
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Correspondence to Masamine Jimba.

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Tashiro, M., Yasuoka, J., Poudel, K.C. et al. Acculturation Factors and Metabolic Syndrome Among Japanese-Brazilian Men in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study. J Immigrant Minority Health 16, 68–76 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-013-9797-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-013-9797-5

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