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G. Nhs, 2005). This Profile Is Consistent With Other Research. In Their Study ...

g. NHS, 2005). This profile is consistent with other research. In their study of dietary intake in UK Pakistani, European, and Afro-Caribbean communities, Vyas et al (2003) found that it was the Pakistani men and women who reported the highest percentage of energy from fat, albeit iron intake was deficient in Afro-Caribbean's. Cholesterol levels have been found to be lower in UK Afro-Caribbean's compared to Caucasians (Chaturvedi et al, 1996).


Figure 6 Food Intake: grams per person per week (unless otherwise stated) across ethnic groups (DEFRA, 2004)
However, data for Afro-Caribbean respondents may need to be regarded with caution. Mennen et al (2000) found that black Africans living in the UK may underreport dietary intake, compared with African populations in other countries. Random samples living in the Manchester area were compared with people of African descent living in Cameroon and Jamaica. A carefully developed food frequency questionnaire (including 76 food items) was used to assess nutrient intake during the past year. EI/BMRest values were used to estimate the proportion of respondents underreporting. Underreporting was highest among UK Africans, leading the authors to conclude, Westernisation contributes to a high level of underreporting (p.886). Vyas et al (2003) echoed this view in their study of nutrient intakes in a UK African-Caribbean community.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
The Health Survey (NHS, 2005) reports data for adherence to physical activity recommendations, low activity, participation in physical exercise, domestic physical activity, sports/exercise, and walking. Black Caribbean, black African, and Chinese men showed the greatest rates of adherence to physical activity recommendations compared to other ethnic groups (see Figure 7). Among women, black Caribbean's/Africans (and the Irish) had the highest rates. Physical activity levels decreased with age. Regular participation in any physical activity (i.e. at least once per week, on average) tended to be higher among Afro-Caribbean and Irish groups. Furthermore participation in heavy housework in the last four weeks also tended to be greater amongst black Africans and Caribbean's. Finally, Afro-Caribbean men reported higher participation in sports and exercise compared with the general population. Among black, Chinese, and Irish women rates of participation were either similar or higher than in the general population.

Figure 7 Participation in sports and exercise (for 30+ minutes in moderate/vigorous activity) by ethnic group and gender (NHS, 2005)

CULTURAL ISSUES
Sharma and Cruickshank (2001) conducted a comprehensive study of the dietary intake of UK Afro-Caribbean's. They accounted for within-group differences in cultural beliefs and food practices. Participants were recruited from selected population registers at four general practices in the Manchester area.


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