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Overview This Considers The Literature On Obesity In The Uk Afro-caribbean ...

OVERVIEW
This brief considers the literature on obesity in the UK Afro-Caribbean community. It is argued that, whereas obesity prevalence is relatively high in this ethnic group, inconsistencies in the literature and self-report bias negate conclusive inferences about precipitating factors and health effects.
OBESITY AGE, GENDER, ETHNICITY
The House of Commons Health Committee Report of Session 2003-2004 (HOC, 2004) noted that obesity prevalence was 50% higher in Afro-Caribbean women compared to the national average. The Health Survey for England (NHS, 2005), which documents anthropometrical measures, overweight, and obesity, found that Mean Body Mass Index (BMI) was greater for black Caribbean (28.0 kg/m2) and black African (28.8kg/m2) women compared to other ethnic groups. Figures 1 and 2 show the proportion of each ethnic group classified as obese (BMI >30kg/ m2).

Figure 1 Body mass index (obesity = BMI >30) for males by ethnic group (NHS, 2005)

Figure 2 Body mass index (obesity = BMI >30) for females by ethnic group (NHS, 2005)
Black Caribbean and Irish men showed the highest obesity prevalence rates (25% and 23.6%, respectively). Among women, obesity (not including BMIs of 40+ 30kg/ m2) was most prevalent in black Africans (33.5%) and black Caribbean's (27.9%).
The prevalence of overweight + obesity (i.e. BMI >25kg/m2) among men was highest for Afro-Caribbean's (67.4%). Only black Caribbean's and Irish men showed prevalence rates higher than the general population. The prevalence of overweight + obesity for women was highest in black Caribbean's (64.5%) and black Africans (69.8%). Only Afro-Caribbean's and Pakistani women showed prevalence rates higher than the general population. BMI scores tended to increase from age groups 16-34 to 35-54 years in Afro-Caribbean's and other ethnic groups. The greatest gender differential in obesity prevalence across ethnic groups was found in black Africans. Obesity prevalence was 20% higher in females (38.5%) compared with males (17.1%).
Vyas et al (2003) examined obesity data for adult Afro-Caribbean, Pakistani, and European communities in inner city Britain. Participants were randomly recruited from seven GP clinics in inner city Manchester. Interestingly, it was the Pakistani women that reported the highest BMI (30.2 kg/m2: indicating obesity). Kelaher et al (2003) compared BMI data across White, Indian/Pakistani, and African-Caribbean adults recruited from deprived electoral wards in the UK. BMI scores for Afro-Caribbean males and females were not significantly higher than BMI scores for the other ethnic groups. However, a significantly higher proportion of Africans (especially women) were classified as obese (BMI > 30 kg/m2) compared with White and Indian/Pakistani participants (see Figure 3).

Figure 3 BMI scores across ethnic and gender groups (Kelaher et al, 2003)

Overall, existing evidence suggests a tendency towards obesity amongst people of African descent (NHS, 2005).


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