Dietary, Behavioral, and Psychosocial Factors Related to Cardiovascular Disease Risk among South Asian Americans: A Scoping Review

Authors

Lakshmi Meyyappan, University of MichiganFollow
Peggy A. Ursuy, University of MichiganFollow
Olivia S. Anderson, University of MichiganFollow

Abstract

Purpose: South Asian Americans disproportionately represent the world’s prevalence of cardiovascular disease. This scoping review assessed the dietary and psychosocial factors associated with cardiovascular disease risk that South Asian Americans encounter and concluded with considerations for health professionals who encounter this population in practice. Method: Inclusion criteria included studies with the primary population as South Asian Americans and investigated diet or psychosocial factors as variables and cardiovascular disease as an outcome variable. Results: Thirteen studies were included. Analysis of nutritional factors showed that South Asian Americans have high dietary quality yet eating non-vegetarian diets and high alcohol consumption is associated with greater cardiovascular disease risk. Analysis of psychosocial factors showed the role of acculturation on cardiovascular disease risk as complex, but generally a negative association between acculturation and cardiovascular disease risk. Conclusions and Recommendations: Future research must investigate disparities within South Asian American subgroups, and create interventions tailored to their cardiovascular health. These data are especially important for health professionals who work with this population to understand and be able to address unique risk factors.

Author Bio(s)

Lakshmi Meyyappan, BS, is a Medical Student in the Medical School of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI.

Peggy Ursuy, PhD, MA, RN, PPCNP-BC, is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Nursing in School of Nursing of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI.

Olivia S. Anderson, PhD, MPH, RD, is a Clinical Associate Professor of the School of Public Health of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI. She is also the Associate Chair of Educational Initiatives in the Department of Nutritional Sciences.

Acknowledgements

The authors have no acknowledgements.

Recommended Citation

Meyyappan L, Ursuy PA, Anderson OS. Dietary, Behavioral, and Psychosocial Factors Related to Cardiovascular Disease Risk among South Asian Americans: A Scoping Review. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2025 Aug 08;23(4), Article 1.