Overweight and weight dissatisfaction related to socio-economic position, integration and dietary indicators among south Asian immigrants in Oslo.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate how socio-economic position, demographic factors, degree of integration and dietary indicators are related to BMI/waist:hip ratio (WHR) and to weight dissatisfaction and slimming among South Asians in Oslo, Norway.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study consisting of a health check including anthropometric measures and two self-administered questionnaires.


METHODS
Oslo, Norway.


METHODS
Pakistanis and Sri Lankans (n 629), aged 30-60 years, residing in Oslo.


RESULTS
BMI was positively associated with female gender (P = 0.004) and Pakistani origin (P < 0.001), and inversely associated with years of education (P = 0.011) and eating more hot meals (P = 0.016). WHR was positively associated with male gender (P < 0.001), age (P < 0.001) and a dietary pattern with high-fat foods (P = 0.005), and inversely associated with degree of integration (measured by a composite index, independent of duration of residence; P = 0.017). One-third of those with normal weight and most of those obese were dissatisfied with their weight. Among these, about 40 % had attempted to slim during the past year. Dissatisfaction with weight was positively associated with education in women (P = 0.006) and with integration in men (P = 0.026), and inversely associated with physical activity (P = 0.044) in men. Women who had made slimming attempts had breakfast and other meals less frequently than others (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Weight dissatisfaction exists among South Asian immigrants. More research is needed regarding bodily dissatisfaction and the relationship between perception of weight and weight-change attempts among immigrants in Norway, in order to prevent and treat both obesity and eating disorders.
Råberg
Marte
M
Department of Nutrition, Institute for Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, PB 1046 Blindern, 0316 Oslo, Norway. m.k.raberg@medisin.uio.no
Kumar
Bernadette
B
Holmboe-Ottesen
Gerd
G
Wandel
Margareta
M
D000069:Acculturation; D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D050177:Overweight / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D010154:Pakistan / Q000208:ethnology; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012737:Sex Factors; D012923:Social Class; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013188:Sri Lanka / Q000208:ethnology