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Marilyn Tseng

Publications and source records attributed to Marilyn Tseng.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Acculturation and breast density in foreign-born, U.S. Chinese women.

The role of acculturation in the breast cancer risk increase among U.S. Chinese women is unclear. We examined the association between acculturation and breast density in a sample of foreign-born, U.S. Chinese women and examined factors that may explain such an association. Between January 2002 and May 2003, 212 Chinese women were recruited from Philadelphia region screening programs. Cranial-caudal mammographic images were classified into one of four categories ranging from "entirely fatty" to "extremely dense." Questionnaires assessed information on sociodemographic, cultural, reproductive, and lifestyle factors. An index of acculturation was created based on self-reported English proficiency and within- and cross-ethnicity social interactions. To estimate odds ratios (OR) for falling into a higher versus lower category for breast density, we conducted logistic regression analysis using proportional odds models for polychotomous outcomes. We found that women in the highest acculturation category had denser breasts [age-adjusted OR, 3.1; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.6-6.0]. They also had fewer live births, higher age at first live birth, and higher dairy food intake, all factors associated with breast density. In 196 women with complete covariate data, only adjustment for number of live births and dairy food intake attenuated the estimate for acculturation by >10%. With adjustment for both simultaneously, the most acculturated women were still more likely to have denser breasts (age- and menopause-adjusted OR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.0-4.2). These analyses are the first to show breast density differences by level of acculturation among foreign-born, U.S. Chinese women. Despite reproductive and lifestyle differences by level of acculturation, differences in these factors did not explain the acculturation-breast density association. Future longitudinal research will examine whether the association is due to early-life factors, postmigration lifestyle changes, or perimenopausal exposures.

Acculturation↗
PubMed2005

Prospective study of dietary patterns and persistent cough with phlegm among Chinese Singaporeans.

RATIONALE: Using principal components analysis to examine dietary patterns complements the evaluation of individual food and nutrient intake in relation to health outcomes, but has not yet been applied to nonmalignant respiratory disease or symptoms. OBJECTIVE: To examine the relation between patterns of dietary intake at baseline and new onset of persistent cough with phlegm in a population-based cohort of Singapore Chinese. METHODS: A 165-item validated food frequency questionnaire was administered in-person at baseline in 1993. We identified 623 cases of incident cough with phlegm among 52,325 subjects by telephone interview from 1999 through 2004. We identified two distinct food patterns: a "meat-dim sum" pattern characterized by pork and chicken dim sum foods and noodle dishes, and a "vegetable-fruit-soy" pattern characterized by vegetables, fruit, and soyfood items. MAIN RESULTS: The meat-dim sum pattern was positively associated with new-onset cough with phlegm (odds ratio, 1.43; 95% confidence interval, 1.08, 1.89; comparing fourth to first quartile, p for trend = 0.02), after adjustment for age, sex, total energy intake, smoking, education, and nonstarch polysaccharide intake, a protective factor for cough with phlegm in this cohort. Weaker associations were seen for more chronic symptoms and for incident asthma. A weak inverse association for the vegetable-fruit-soy pattern disappeared after adjustment for nonstarch polysaccharide intake. CONCLUSION: A diet rich in meats, sodium, and refined carbohydrates may increase risk of developing cough with phlegm, independently of the apparent beneficial effects of a diet high in fiber in this Singapore Chinese cohort.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Comparison of intakes of US Chinese women based on food frequency and 24-hour recall data.

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to compare dietary reports from a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for US Chinese women with 24-hour recall estimates. The subjects were 56 women recruited through organizations in Philadelphia's Chinese community. Spearman correlations were used to describe FFQ estimates of food servings per month and nutrient intake per day vs estimates from three 24-hour recalls over 1 month. On average, women reported at least weekly consumption of 28 of 96 FFQ food items. The three most frequently consumed were rice (38 times/month), tea (29 times/month), and dark green, leafy vegetables (18 times/month). Comparing reported frequencies of the 28 foods to 24-hour recall estimates, the median Spearman correlation was 0.36. For nutrient estimates, correlations were high (r >0.5) for dietary fiber and calcium; moderate ( r =0.25 to 0.5) for energy, saturated fat, cholesterol, carbohydrates, protein, folic acid, and iron; but poor (r <0.25) for total fat, vitamin C, vitamin A, and carotene. These findings provide some assurance of the FFQ's adequacy for describing US Chinese women's intake of commonly consumed foods and selected nutrients. They also provide a basis for further improvements to, and evaluations of, the FFQ.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Correlates of soy food consumption in women at increased risk for breast cancer.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the present study were to examine sociodemographic correlates of soy food consumption among women at increased risk of breast cancer, describe factors influencing soy food consumption or nonconsumption, and identify women's sources of information about soy foods. DESIGN: A cross-sectional, self-report survey was used to assess frequency of and factors influencing soy food consumption. Soy food intake was reported for the past year. SUBJECTS/SETTING: Participants were 452 women with family histories of breast cancer who were enrolled in a cancer risk assessment program. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: Comparisons between consumers and nonconsumers of soy foods were performed using multivariate logistic regression and chi(2) analyses. RESULTS: Thirty-two percent reported soy food consumption. Commonly consumed soy foods were vegetable burgers, tofu, and soymilk. Consumers of soy foods were more likely to have higher levels of education and report eating five or more daily servings of fruits and vegetables. The primary reason for consumption of soy foods was eating a healthful diet, whereas insufficient knowledge about soy food preparation was the primary reason stated for nonconsumption. Both consumers and nonconsumers reported obtaining information about soy foods from magazines, friends, and newspapers. Consumers also indicated using the Internet to seek information. CONCLUSIONS: These findings contribute to our understanding of the level of soy intake among women at increased risk for breast cancer and highlight potential factors that may influence women's decisions regarding soy food consumption. Women, particularly in this vulnerable population, would benefit from clear messages regarding the health effects of soy.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Dairy, calcium, and vitamin D intakes and prostate cancer risk in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Epidemiologic Follow-up Study cohort.

BACKGROUND: Dairy intake may increase prostate cancer risk, but whether this is due to calcium's suppression of circulating vitamin D remains unclear. Findings on calcium and vitamin D intake and prostate cancer are inconsistent. OBJECTIVE: We examined the association of dairy, calcium, and vitamin D intake with prostate cancer. DESIGN: In a prospective study of 3612 men followed from 1982-1984 to 1992 for the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Epidemiologic Follow-up Study, 131 prostate cancer cases were identified. Dietary intake was estimated from questionnaires completed in 1982-1984. Relative risk (RR) and 95% CIs were estimated by using Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for age, race, and other covariates. RESULTS: Compared with men in the lowest tertile for dairy food intake, men in the highest tertile had a relative risk (RR) of 2.2 (95% CI: 1.2, 3.9; trend P = 0.05). Low-fat milk was associated with increased risk (RR = 1.5; 95% CI: 1.1, 2.2; third compared with first tertile; trend P = 0.02), but whole milk was not (RR = 0.8; 95% CI: 0.5, 1.3; third compared with first tertile; trend P = 0.35). Dietary calcium was also strongly associated with increased risk (RR = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.4, 3.5; third compared with first tertile; trend P = 0.001). After adjustment for calcium intake, neither vitamin D nor phosphorus was clearly associated with risk. CONCLUSIONS: Dairy consumption may increase prostate cancer risk through a calcium-related pathway. Calcium and low-fat milk have been promoted to reduce risk of osteoporosis and colon cancer. Therefore, the mechanisms by which dairy and calcium might increase prostate cancer risk should be clarified and confirmed.

Calcium, Dietary↗
PubMed2004

Dietary patterns and prostate cancer risk in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Epidemiological Follow-up Study cohort.

Ecological studies implicate a "Western" diet in prostate cancer development, but whether dietary patterns measured in individuals are associated with risk has not been studied previously. We examined this issue using prospective data from the nationally representative United States Health Examination Epidemiological Follow-up Study. Among 3,779 men followed from 1982-84 to 1992, 136 incident cases were identified. Using principal component analysis on responses to a 105-item dietary questionnaire, the following three distinct patterns were identified: a vegetable-fruit pattern; a red meat-starch pattern characterized by red meats, potatoes, cheese, salty snacks, and desserts; and a Southern pattern characterized by such foods as cornbread, grits, sweet potatoes, okra, beans, and rice. In adjusted proportional hazards models, prostate cancer risk was not associated with the vegetable-fruit or red meat-starch pattern, but higher intake of the Southern pattern showed a reduction in risk (3rd versus 1st tertile relative risk, 0.6; 95% confidence interval, 0.4-1.1; trend P = 0.08) that approached statistical significance. The inverse association was observed in black and non-black men and was not attributable to intake of any individual foods or nutrients. A Southern dietary pattern may reflect a history of living in the South and serve as an integrative marker of sunlight exposure and protection through 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D production. Further evaluation and better characterization of the pattern would offer more information on potentially beneficial features of the diet or its associated lifestyle.

Diet↗