Associations of Socioeconomic Status with Diet and Physical Activity in Migrant Bougainvilleans in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

Abstract

Urban migrants in Papua New Guinea have undergone a nutritional transition. The present study investigated associations of socioeconomic status with dietary and physical activity patterns among migrant Bougainvilleans from Nassioi territory in the capital city of Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. All adults Naasioi migrants residing in Port Moresby were identified (N = 185) and 70 were included. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to evaluate physical activity, and dietary patterns were assessed by per-week consumption frequency of food items. Principal component analysis was applied to produce a composite score for socioeconomic status. Least square regression analysis indicated that socioeconomic status was positively correlated with consumption of a traditional diet (p = .03) and negatively with walking-related physical activity (p = .02), but it was not correlated with MET-minutes of moderate/vigorous activity. Different patterns of nutritional transition occur among migrants in urban Papua New Guinea, depending on socioeconomic status.

Major dietary patterns in relation to demographic and socio-economic status and food insecurity in two Iranian ethnic groups living in Urmia, Iran

“…As noted by Gilbert and Khokhar (8) , younger generations tend to change their eating habits by including fast foods, as they are seen to be convenient and reflective of independence. In contrast, older age has been shown to be associated with healthier traditional diets in many studies, as in our study, where it was associated with the THS dietary pattern (24,51,52) . Azeris who were employed, regardless of their job level and Kurds who were single (v. married) were most likely to consume the 'Transitional' dietary pattern.…”

Physical activity and sedentary behaviour in occupational groups from Papua New Guinea: Self-reported patterns and correlates

“…94,96,97,101,103,105,107,112 Based on the data extracted from selected studies, education level played a key role and acted as a proxy for occupation and income in many studies. 9,97,102,106,112 In these studies,…”

“…The study designs varied, and included 17 cross-sectional analyses, 9, 89, 91, 93-106 three population-based longitudinal surveys, 9,90,107 two prospective studies 108,109 and a case control 110 and comparative study. 111 The studies were conducted from various countries, in which four studies were conducted in China, 90,107,108,110 India, 97 Nepal, 101 three studies in Malaysia, 89,98,100 two studies from Papua New Guinea, 102,111 three from America (South and Central America), Northern Caribbean Island, 93,104,106,109 and five studies across Africa (East, West, Southern and Central Africa). 94-96, 103, 105 Three studies included multiple developed and developing countries.…”

“…105,111 Four studies used a unvalidated, structured questionnaire to interview participants, 90,108,109,112 while one study used data from multiple surveys over time in various countries. 107 Seven studies 91,97,98,102,103,107,112 found a relationship between higher economic status and lower PA levels. Six studies 9,89,93,101,106,107 correlated occupational PA and education,…”

“…High levels of SB were related to higher risks for chronic conditions and diseases such as ovarian and breast cancer, 108, 110 a 3-fold increase in the incidence of metabolic syndrome 89, 100, 101, and increased Body Mass Index (BMI) and weight gain. 102,111 .…”