Original Article

International Journal of Obesity (2006) 30, 684–690. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0803051; published online 30 August 2005

Ethnic differences in obesity among immigrants from developing countries, in Oslo, Norway

B N Kumar1, H E Meyer1,2, M Wandel3, I Dalen4 and G Holmboe-Ottesen1

  1. 1Section of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, Department of Community Medicine and General Practice, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
  2. 2Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
  3. 3Department of Nutrition, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
  4. 4Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Department of Statistics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

Correspondence: Dr BN Kumar, Section of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, Department of Community Medicine and General Practice, University of Oslo, PO Box 1130, Oslo N-0318, Norway. E-mail: bernadette.kumar@medisin.uio.no

Received 18 January 2005; Revised 17 June 2005; Accepted 5 July 2005; Published online 30 August 2005.

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Abstract

Objectives:

 

To compare ethnic and gender differences in generalized and central obesity and to investigate whether these differences persisted after adjusting for socio-demographic and lifestyle factors.

Design:

 

In 2002, the population-based cross-sectional, Oslo Immigrant Health study was conducted.

Subjects:

 

A total of 7890 Oslo residents, born between 1942 and 1971 in Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Vietnam, were invited and 3019 attended.

Measurements:

 

Participants completed a health questionnaire and attended a clinical screening that included height, weight, waist and hip measurements.

Results:

 

Generalized obesity (BMIgreater than or equal to30 kg/m2) was greatest among women from Turkey (51.0%) and least among men from Vietnam (2.7%). The highest proportions of central obesity (waist hip ratio (WHR)greater than or equal to0.85) were observed among women from Sri Lanka (54.3%) and Pakistan (52.4%). For any given value of BMI, Sri Lankans and Pakistanis had higher WHR compared to the other groups. Despite a high mean BMI, Turkish men (27.9 kg/m2) and women (30.7 kg/m2) did not have a corresponding high WHR. Ethnic differences in BMI, waist circumference and WHR persisted despite adjusting for socio-demographic and lifestyle factors.

Conclusion:

 

We found large differences in generalized and central obesity between immigrant groups from developing countries. Our data find high proportions of overweight and obese subjects from Pakistan and Turkey, but low proportions among those from Vietnam. Subjects from Sri Lanka and Pakistan had the highest WHR for any given value of BMI. Our findings, in light of the burgeoning obesity epidemic, warrant close monitoring of these groups.

Keywords:

ethnic minorities, immigrants, body mass index, waist circumference, waist hip ratio

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