Influence of neighbourhood ethnic density, diet and physical activity on ethnic differences in weight status: A study of 214,807 adults in Australia

Astell-Burt, Thomas; Feng, Xiaoqi; Croteau, Karen A.; Kolt, Gregory S.

doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2013.06.006

Cited by 26 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…Findings from this study of lower BMI among male and female Asian immigrants compared with Australian born are generally consistent with State-based research [23, 24]. It remains important however, to include Asian immigrants in obesity monitoring and prevention efforts, as using Asian BMI cut-offs for overweight/obesity has revealed higher levels of health risks, [25] and generational studies from multiple countries have shown a rapid upward assimilation of Asian immigrants’ BMI to the host country’s BMI over the course of one generation [14, 24, 53].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

“…Two ethnic groups had significantly higher BMI compared with Australian born - male immigrants born in North Africa/Middle East, and Oceania. This contrasts to results from single-State Australian studies, which identified immigrants born in Southern European countries as having significantly higher BMIs compared with Australian born after full adjustment [23, 24]. Published results from these earlier studies were not stratified by gender and comparisons are difficult due to methodological constraints (as described in the introduction).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

“…Australia has high rates of overweight and obesity (70.3 % of men and 56.2 % of women) [16] and a particularly high immigrant population with 28.1 % of the population born overseas [17] (in contrast for example, to the United States which has 12.5 % born overseas [18]). It is somewhat surprising therefore, that epidemiological studies of ethnic difference in bodyweight in Australia have focused largely on children [19–22] and the three known studies that focused on adults [23–25] have a number of substantive and methodological limitations. In particular, previous Australian studies have been based on single State surveys, were not inclusive of all ethnic groups, two studies did not address expected gender differences [23, 24] and two studies were limited to older adults [23, 25].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Ethnic differences in overweight and obesity and the influence of acculturation on immigrant bodyweight: evidence from a national sample of Australian adults

2016

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BackgroundDespite growing international migration and documented ethnic differences in overweight and obesity in developed countries, no research has described the epidemiology of immigrant overweight and obesity at a national level in Australia, a country where immigrants comprise 28.1 % of the population. The aim of this study was to examine ethnic differences in body mass index (BMI) and overweight/obesity in Australia and the influence of acculturation on bodyweight among Australian immigrants.MethodsData from the national Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey were used to examine mean BMI and odds of overweight/obesity comparing immigrants (n = 2 997) with Australian born (n = 13 047). Among immigrants, acculturation differences were examined by length of residence in Australia and age at migration. Data were modelled in a staged approach using multilevel linear and logistic regression, controlling for demographic and socioeconomic variables.ResultsRelative to Australian born, men from North Africa/Middle East and Oceania regions had significantly higher BMIs, and men from North West Europe, North East Asia and Southern and Central Asia had significantly lower BMIs. Among women, the majority of foreign born groups had significantly lower BMIs compared with Australian born. Male and female immigrants living in Australia for 15 years or more had significantly higher BMIs and increased odds of being overweight/obese respectively, compared with immigrants living in Australia for less than 5 years. Male immigrants arriving as adolescents were twice more likely to be overweight/obese and had significantly higher BMIs than immigrants who arrived as adults. Male and female immigrants who arrived as children (≤11 years) had significantly higher odds of adult overweight/obesity and BMIs.ConclusionsThis study provides evidence of ethnic differences in overweight and obesity in Australia with male immigrants from North Africa/Middle East and Oceania regions being particularly vulnerable. In addition, this study suggests that greater acculturation may negatively impact immigrant bodyweight and recently arrived immigrants as well as those who arrive as children or adolescents may benefit from obesity prevention intervention. Public health policy targeted at and tailored to these immigrant cohorts will assist in the multi-pronged approach required to address the obesity epidemic.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Ethnic differences in overweight and obesity and the influence of acculturation on immigrant bodyweight: evidence from a national sample of Australian adults

2016

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“…For example, living in a racially-segregated neighborhood is positively associated with obesity among US black women, but inversely associated with obesity for Mexican-American women [21]. More akin to our analysis, in a study of immigrants in Australia, Astell-Burt and colleagues [23] reported that living in a neighborhood with greater density of one’s own ethnicity was inversely associated with body mass index among migrants from the UK and Ireland but not any other immigrant group.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In New York City, living in a predominantly black neighborhood was inversely associated with hypertension among older foreign-born blacks, but was unrelated to hypertension status among US-born and younger foreign-born blacks [22]. In an Australian study, Astell-Burt et al [23] reported that residing in an ethnic enclave was associated with lower body mass index for some, but not all, immigrant groups. Nobari et al [24] argued that residing in an immigrant enclave may influence diet and physical activity behaviors via social networks, support, and norms.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Immigrant enclaves and risk of diabetes: a prospective study

Mezuk

Cederin

et al. 2014

BMC Public Health

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BackgroundThe diversity of the Swedish population has increased substantially over the past three decades. The aim of this study was to assess whether living in an ethnic enclave is associated with risk of diabetes mellitus (DM) among first and second-generation immigrants and native Swedes.MethodsCumulative incidence of DM in three urban municipalities was assessed from 2006–2010 by linking records from the national census, multi-generational family register, and prescription drug register. Immigrant enclaves were identified using Moran’s Index. Multi-level logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between enclave residence and risk of DM for three groups: Iraqi immigrants, non-Iraqi immigrants, and native Swedes (N = 887,603).ResultsThe cumulative incidence of DM was greater in Iraqi enclaves compared to other neighborhoods (4.7% vs. 2.3%). Among Iraqi immigrants, enclave residence was not associated with odds of DM (Odds ratio (OR): 1.03, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.86 – 1.24). Among other immigrants, enclave residence was not associated with DM after accounting for neighborhood deprivation. Among native Swedes, enclave residence was associated with elevated risk of DM even after accounting for neighborhood deprivation and individual-level characteristics (OR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.11 – 1.36).ConclusionsResidential ethnic composition is associated with DM but this relationship differs across ethnic group. Enclave residence is not associated with increased odds of DM for immigrants, regardless of their nation of origin, but it is associated with increased likelihood of DM for native Swedes.

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Eating and healthy ageing: a longitudinal study on the association between food consumption, memory loss and its comorbidities

Ling

Inglis

et al. 2020

Int J Public Health

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Influence of neighbourhood ethnic density, diet and physical activity on ethnic differences in weight status: A study of 214,807 adults in Australia

Cited by 26 publications

References 41 publications

Ethnic differences in overweight and obesity and the influence of acculturation on immigrant bodyweight: evidence from a national sample of Australian adults

Ethnic differences in overweight and obesity and the influence of acculturation on immigrant bodyweight: evidence from a national sample of Australian adults

Immigrant enclaves and risk of diabetes: a prospective study

Eating and healthy ageing: a longitudinal study on the association between food consumption, memory loss and its comorbidities

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