My research on childhood obesity prevention addresses a preventable global health problem and one with important implications for global health nursing research and practice. Childhood obesity is one of the most serious global public health challenges of the 21st century. Approximately 170 million children (aged less than 18 years) worldwide are overweight and about 31 million of these are living in low and middle-income countries (LMIC). The increased prevalence of childhood obesity is 30% higher in LMIC (such as China, Hong Kong and Taiwan) than that of developed countries. Dr. Chen’s program of research addresses this critical global health threat as it focuses on childhood obesity prevention and healthy lifestyle promotion in children in Asian Pacific regions and Chinese immigrants in the U.S. Chinese Americans, as the 2nd largest immigrant population in the U.S., are experiencing an increased prevalence of childhood obesity (31%) and a higher risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes compared to non-Hispanic white populations. Additionally, about 33% of obese Chinese American children (age 6 to 18) already have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Working for the last 13 years in global health research, I have built the knowledge base pertaining to obesity prevention in Chinese children and immigrant Chinese children through a series of 15 research studies.
I have mentored matriculated and special studies students from various countries including China, Korea, Japan, India, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Thailand. Many of their research topics are related to health disparities among minority populations and several students conducted research in their country of origin. My research work and passion about global health, especially in Asian countries, has attracted several students and fellows who are also interested in this region or immigrants from these countries.