Mulasi-Pokhriyal, Urvashi2013-04-112013-04-112011-02https://hdl.handle.net/11299/147462University of Minnesota M.S. thesis. February 2011. Major: Nutrition. Advisor: Chery Smith, PhD, MPH, RD. 1 computer file (PDF); viii, 192 pages, appendices A-D.This study, one component of a larger research project, investigated body image ideals, health and diabetes perceptions, and dietary acculturation issues among Hmong American children, 9-18 years of age. To accomplish this, we assessed results from silhouette drawing instrument, focus groups data (conducted prior to this project by two trained researchers (Franzen & Smith, 2009a, 2009b, 2010)), a validated survey, anthropometric data, and 24-hour dietary recalls. Key findings showed that Hmong children are dissatisfied with their current body shape/size, and are probably at a risk for developing eating disorders now or in the near future. Environmental influences shaped children‟s health and diabetes perceptions more than personal and/or behavioral factors. Dietary results indicated that Hmong diets are high in fats, oils, sweets, and sodium and low in dairy, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Further, children born in United States (US) consumed significantly more calories, carbohydrates, saturated fat, and sodium, and had a higher BMI-for-age than those who were born in Thailand/Laos. Given that Hmong are a growing Asian subgroup in the US, this research may help to provide useful insights and understandings on Hmong health perceptions, current health status, and body image ideals specifically from a cultural perspective. This may further help health educators, researchers, and community leaders in planning culturally sensitive educational interventions in this population.en-USThesis or Dissertation