About the research
Obesity has been acknowledged as a ticking time-bomb for the health of people living in the affluent west. Obesity among both adults and children has attracted significant media attention, and several high profile campaigns have encouraged more physical exercise and healthy eating to combat the problem. Two researchers based at the University of Manchester have been investigating this topic by focusing on the differences between a number of ethnic groups living in England.
The aim of the research was to provide an improved understanding of patterns of healthy eating and physical activity that underlie ethnic differences in obesity. They used UK Data Service hosted health data for people from Black Caribbean, Black African, Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Chinese, and Irish and White backgrounds living in England. Their results showed there were differences across ethnic groups when compared to White people. Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Chinese women were all less likely than White women to meet the physical activity guidelines. Men from most ethnic groups and women from Pakistani and Bangladeshi backgrounds were more likely than White men or women to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. Black African and Black Caribbean women were more likely to be obese than White women, but no ethnic minority male group were likely to be more obese than White men.
The researchers found a relationship between parents’ physical activity, obesity level and eating habits and their children’s, with parental obesity being a major indicator of childhood obesity.
The researchers hope this research can provoke more enquiries into the differences between ethnic groups on these issues. The low levels of physical activity amongst Pakistani and Bangladeshi men and women suggest that policies aimed at increasing physical activity should target these ethnic groups – and that these low levels cannot simply be explained by cultural barriers for women (as suggested by previous literature). The results highlight the importance of recognising differences in levels of physical activity, diet and obesity not just between ethnic groups, but also between those with difference levels of education. The results show that educational policies aimed at reducing childhood obesity should focus on parental characteristics while remaining sensitive to ethnic and gender differences.
Methodology
This research made use of the ethnic boost and general population data from the 2004 survey. Outcomes from the survey used were obesity (defined as a Body Mass Index greater than 30kg/m for adults), physical activity (30 minutes of at least moderate intensity physical activity) and consumption of fruit and vegetable (in relation to the recommended 5 portions a day).
The researchers used a logistic regression model for adults and children separately. In the adult models they controlled for age, ethnicity, migration, educational qualifications, economic activity, household income and area-level deprivation.
The child models included information on ethnicity, parental socio-economic characteristics, parental obesity, parental physical activity and parental consumption of fruit and vegetable.
Publications
Higgins, V. and Dale, A. (2013) ‘Ethnic differences in sports participation in England’, European Journal for Sport and Society, 10(3), pp. 215-239. Retrieved 1 July 2016 from https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/publications/ethnic-differences-in-sports-participation-in-england(2fce947a-5d37-402f-ab74-2f93ffc9a9e6).html
Higgins, V. and Dale, A. (2012) ‘Ethnicity and childhood overweight/obesity in England’, Pediatric Obesity, 7(3), pp.22-26. DOI:10.1111/j.2047-6310.2012.00051.x
Higgins, V. and Dale, A. (2010) Ethnic differences in physical activity, diet and obesity, Research Findings, Understanding Population Trends and Processes (UPTAP). Retrieved 6 September 2013 from http://www.uptap.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/uptap-findings-higgins-nov-2010.pdf
Higgins, V. and Dale, A. (2010) ‘Ethnic differences in physical activity and obesity’ in J. Stillwell and M. van Ham (eds.) Understanding Population Trends and Processes, Vol. 3: Ethnicity and Integration. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer-Verlag.
Higgins, V. and Dale, A. (2010) ‘Ethnic differences in physical activity and sports participation’, paper presented at European Association for the Sociology Sports, Porto, Portugal, 5-9 May 2010.
Higgins, V. and Dale, A. (2009) ‘Ethnic differences in physical activity and obesity, Working Paper No. 2009-05, Cathie Marsh Centre for Census and Survey Research (CCSR). Retrieved 6 September 2013 from http://www.ccsr.ac.uk/publications/working/2009-05.pdf
Higgins, V. and Dale, A. (2009) ‘Ethnic differences in food consumption’, paper presented at the 9th European Sociological Association Conference, Lisbon, Portugal, 2-5 September 2009.
Higgins, V. and Dale, A. (2009) ‘Ethnic differences in diet, physical activity and obesity’, paper presented at ESDS Health Surveys User Meeting, London, 9 July 2009.
Higgins, V. (2008) ‘Ethnic differences in obesity, diet and physical activity – A literature review’, Working Paper No. 2008-17, Cathie Marsh Centre for Census and Survey Research (CCSR). Retrieved 6 September 2013 from http://www.ccsr.ac.uk/publications/working/2008-17.pdf
Higgins, V. and Dale, A. (2008) ‘Ethnic differences in obesity, diet and physical activity’, paper presented at British Society for Population Studies Conference, University of Manchester, UK, 10-12 September 2008.
Higgins, V. and Dale, A. (2008) ‘Ethnic differences in physical activity, diet and obesity: the research potential of the Health Survey for England’, paper presented at British Sociological Association Conference, University of Warwick, UK, 28-30 March 2008.