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Health, lifestyle, belief and knowledge differences between two ethnic groups with specific reference to tobacco, diet and physical activity

  • Kathryn Jones
    ,
  • Hala Evans
    ,
  • Denis Anthony
    ,
  • Rob Baggott
    ,
  • Judith Tanner
    ,
  • Gill Perkins
  • De Montfort University
Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Sustainable Development Goals

  • SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well

Abstract

Aims.  To compare physical activity levels, body mass index, habitual diet, tobacco use and prevalence of non-communicable disease between the two ethnic groups and to identify predictors for differences between groups. Background.  Tobacco use, poor diet and physical inactivity are major lifestyle risk factors for chronic cardiovascular diseases, certain cancers, diabetes and chronic lung diseases. There are higher risk and incidence of these diseases in some ethnic groups, for example Asians have higher incidence of diabetes. Design.  Cross sectional survey. Methods.  Cross sectional survey of Asians of Indian descent and white British adults conducted between October-December 2009. Main outcome variables were lifestyle behaviours and BMI. Self-reported disease diagnosis was also collected. In a regression analysis, predictors of outcome variables were demographic variables and beliefs/attitudes/knowledge towards lifestyle behaviours. Results/Findings.  Body mass index, tobacco use and non-communicable disease (except diabetes) were lower in Indians. Indians reported lower physical activity levels and greater salt use than Whites. Tobacco use was higher in Whites, but knowledge, attitudes and beliefs were similar between Whites and Indians. Conclusion.  Health risk behaviour and morbidity are different between the two ethnic groups. Gender, age, educational level, beliefs, attitudes and knowledge do not explain these differences. Health promotion that aims to improve knowledge will probably not work and innovative methods are needed to improve health in high risk groups.

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Original language

English

Pages from-to (Number of pages)

Pages 2496

Journal (Volume, Issue Number)

Journal of Advanced Nursing (Volume 68, Issue 11)

Publication milestones

  • Published - 01/11/2012

Publication status

Published - 01/11/2012

ISSN

0309-2402

External Publication IDs

  • handle.net: 10547/250599
  • Scopus: 84866770144

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