Changes in body mass index, dietary intake and physical activity of South African immigrants in Hobart, Australia

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: Immigration, especially to countries with a higher prevalence ofoverweight and obesity, has been found to exacerbate these conditions inimmigrants. This study investigated the change in dietary intake, physical activity andbody mass index (BMI) of South African immigrants in Hobart, Australia.OBJECTIVES: The objectives were to determine the change in BMI, the current andusual dietary intakes and perceived dietary changes and the current physical activitylevels and perceived changes in physical activity since immigration of South Africanimmigrants residing in the Greater Hobart Area.DESIGN: This study had descriptive, cross-sectional as well as analyticalcomponents.SAMPLING: Forty seven participants were recruited by contacting knownimmigrants, postings in newspapers, contacting immigrant social groups, contactingthe Department of Economic Development as well as using the social networkingprogram, 'Facebook. All participants had to be between the ages of 20 and 50 andhave lived in Australia for longer than six months, but shorter than five years. Thirtyparticipants completed the study with a mean age of 37.17 years.METHODS: Participants were required to complete a self-administered sociodemographicquestionnaire, a 3-day diet record, physical activity questionnaire andquantified food frequency questionnaire (QFFQ). The investigator administered aweight change questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements included weight, heightand waist circumference measurements.RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the BMIs of participants preandpost-immigration (p=0.06), but the percentage of overweight female participantsincreased from 24% (n=4) to 29% (n=5) and the percentage of overweight maleparticipants increased from 46% (n=6) to 69% (n=9). The percentage of obesefemale participants increased from 6% (n=1) to 12% (n=2) post-immigration with themale participants showing no increased prevalence of obesity. Participants appearedaware of their weight classifications with 60% (n=18) reporting that they considered themselves overweight. Mean waist circumference values of male and femaleparticipants were classified as action level 1. Forty one percent (n=7) of femaleparticipants and 31% (n=4) of male participants had waist circumference values classified as action level 2. Carbohydrate intakes were below the Nutrient ReferenceValues (NRV) recommendations for 84% (n=25) and 62% (n=19) of participants asindicated by the QFFQ and diet records respectively and the mean carbohydrateintake values of male and female participants (QFFQ and diet records) were belowthe NRV recommendations as well. Fibre intakes were below the NRVrecommendations for 76% (n=23) and 82% (n=25) of participants as indicated by theQFFQ and food records respectively. Saturated fat and sodium intakes were high.Folate, calcium and potassium were consumed in lower than recommended amountsby a large proportion of participants. Sixty seven percent (n=20) of participantsreported an increase in physical activity post-immigration and 70% (n=21) ofparticipants anticipated a future increase in physical activity levels.CONCLUSION: The study population experienced an increase in weight. A numberof other risk factors for cardiovascular and other chronic diseases were alsoidentified including high waist circumference values, high saturated fat and sodiumintakes and low fibre, folate, calcium and potassium intakes. Interventions aimed atdecreasing the risk of South African immigrants in Hobart becomingoverweight/obese and developing chronic diseases should probably be aimed atlower saturated and total fat intake, higher carbohydrate and fibre intake and plentyof dietary variation and should further encourage physical activity, but this needs tobe confirmed by larger prospective studies.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University