Despite the stereotype Asians are petite and skinny, studies show this population is rapidly becoming overweight — so much so that a California agency is targeting Asian and Pacific Islander Americans in a campaign.

Asian Americans have the fastest growing rate of overweight and obese children, according to the Asian American Network for Cancer Awareness, Research, and Training.

"Asian American families tend to be less physically active, more home-oriented and more screen-oriented than other groups, which can create obesity issues," said Kris Perry, executive director of First 5 California, a state agency that recently launched an awareness campaign.

Those are just a few causes among many that contribute to obesity among Asian American youths, ranging from cultural to environmental factors.

Fast food seems to be one of the culprits.

Asian teens consume more fast food than their white counterparts, according to a California Health Interview Survey, or CHIS, 2005 survey. Forty-three percent ate fast food daily, compared to 35 percent of white teens.

Asian and Pacific Islander children compared to other ethnic and racial groups are also least likely to get their daily portions of fruits and veggies, according to a CHIS survey from 2001-2003.

And Asian and Pacific Islander children are the least physically active of all racial and ethnic groups. Only 57 percent of Asian Americans between 11 and 17 had vigorous physical activity in a week, according to a 2001-2003 CHIS survey.

Local health care workers have noticed the increase in obese Asian youth in the past five years.

"There's a growing number of overweight kids," Jing Liu, dietitian at the Oakland Chinatown-based Asian Health Services, said.

She said they determine obesity by comparing weight and age and weight and height. Someone with a Body Mass Index above the 95th percentile is considered obese.

"We are seeing more and more kids reaching these numbers, hitting the 95th percentile or higher," Liu said.

She said lack of exercise and poor diet are the obvious factors, but finding solutions is more complex.

"A lot of times I hear from kids that the P.E. classes in school are no longer offered, or are only twice a week," she said. "And a lot of parents enroll their kids in after-school programs, (where) they are sitting for another two hours until they go home and eat dinner. After dinner, they watch TV or play on the computer or video games."

White rice, a staple in most Asian families, is not that healthy — especially when consumed in monstrous portions.

In Asian countries, rice is usually eaten from a small bowl, with plates of vegetable and healthier dishes to eat with it. In the United States, especially in restaurants and takeout joints, rice is heaped onto the plate and the healthier dishes are more like side dishes, Perry said.

And kids growing up in poorer neighborhoods have less access to healthy foods.

"The food choices in low-income neighborhoods can be very high in fat, and these neighborhoods have less fresh food choices," Perry said.

Obesity leads to a host of other health problems, including heart diseases, strokes, and Type 2 Diabetes — in children.

And Asian children experience diabetes at lower BMI rates than others. For example, if a white child has a BMI of 30, they will begin to experience symptoms of diabetes, according to Perry. An Asian American child may begin experiencing symptoms at 25 BMI.

Aside from physical problems, being overweight is a social and emotional issue.

Overweight youths are teased by their peers and may become depressed.

Health workers encourage parents to monitor eating patterns early on, such as cutting out junk food and fast food, being more physically active, planning activities with the family, and encouraging sports.

But perhaps most importantly, parents just need to show their kids they are loved, no matter what. In fact, spending time with kids may lead to better health.

"Studies have found that when kids have more interaction with their parents, they tend not to crave junk food as much," Liu said.

Make a difference. Donate to The Advertiser Christmas Fund.