Differences in cardiometabolic risk markers among ethnic groups in Queensland, Australia

Abstract

Very little is known about the cardiometabolic risk of migrants who settle in Australia.This study investigated differences in cardiometabolic risk markers among ethnic groups attending a tailored healthy lifestyle program in Queensland, Australia; and differences in these markers between those living in Australia for shorter versus longer periods of time. Baseline data collected between October 2014 and June 2017 from the Living Well Multicultural-Lifestyle Modification Program were used.People living in ethnic communities in Queensland who were ≥18 years old, and not underweight were eligible to participate. Independent variables were ethnicity and length of time in Australia. Outcomes were cardiometabolic risk markers including BMI, waist circumference, weight-to-height ratio (WHtR) and hypertension. Analyses were done separately for each independent variable. Linear and logistic regressions were run for continuous and binary outcomes with differences/Odds ratios reported respectively. Multivariable analyses showed that Burmese/Vietnamese had an average BMI lower than Afghani/Arabic (3.7 points), Somalian/Sudanese (4.7 points) andPacific Islander (11.6 points) (p < 0.001) respectively. Differences in waist circumference between Burmese/Vietnamese with Sri Lankan/Bhutanese, Afghani/Arabic, Somalian/Sudanese and Pacific Islander were 6.3, 8.4, 9.1 and 24.0 cm (p < 0.01) respectively. Although Burmese/Vietnamese also had lower average WHtR compared to the others, the differences were not significant for Somalian/Sudanese. Moreover, Sri Lankan/Bhutanese and Pacific Islander were more likely to be hypertensive compared to Burmese/Vietnamese (p < 0.05). Immigrants living in Australia >5years had on average 1.2 points higher BMI, 2.4cm larger waist circumference, and 0.02 points higher WHtR (p < 0.05) compared to those living for ≤5 years. Long-stay immigrants were also more likely to be hypertensive than short-stay immigrants (p < 0.01). In conclusion, cardiometabolic risk is significantly different among ethnic groups in Queensland with Pacific Islanders having the highest risk. Immigrants living in Australia >5 years had higher risks compared to those living in Australia for shorter periods of time. K E Y W O R D SBMI, cardiometabolic risk, ethnicity, immigrant, waist circumference, weight-to-height ratio e450 |

Exploring the Health Care Challenges and Health Care Needs of Arabic-Speaking Immigrants with Cardiovascular Disease in Australia

“…Several international studies [9][10][11] have suggested that Arabic-speaking immigrants (immigrants are people born overseas who have settled in a country permanently) [12] have a higher prevalence of CVD and CVD risk factors compared to many other ethnic groups, including the mainstream cultural group of the countries studied. In Australia, the Arabic-speaking immigrant group, which makes up the fourth largest language group (after English) [13], has a higher prevalence of CVD and recurrent CVD events compared to many other groups living in Australia [8,14,15]. It has been suggested that this may be due to lifestyle factors associated with their countries of origin, including the consumption of a high calorie diet, physical inactivity, and high smoking levels, which often persist in Australia [16].…”

The effectiveness of living well multicultural‐lifestyle management program among ethnic populations in Queensland, Australia

“…Some communities found these behaviours more difficult to sustain (although this was not statistically significant) and this may be due to how culturally significant certain food items are within the diet and/or other social and environmental factors that impact on these behaviours. The variations in cardiometabolic risk and the contributing personal behaviours between ethnic communities have been reported elsewhere 28 …”

“…A study among newly arrived Sudanese refugees in Queensland identified that more than half were overweight and obese indicating the need for programmes to prevent excessive weight gain and to reduce risk factors for diabetes and cardiovascular disease 27 . Cardiometabolic risk factors differ significantly between ethnic groups living in Queensland and risk appears to increase for those living in Australia for five or more years 28 . Despite the increased risk of chronic conditions, members of CALD communities are less likely to be proactive in accessing health care and have fewer options available for the implementation of preventative measures 4 .…”

Eating and physical activity behaviours among ethnic groups in Queensland, Australia

“…The duration of residency in Australia, as a representation of acculturation, was self-reported at the beginning of the study. A cut-point of 5 years was used as a previous study showed that cardiometabolic risks of migrants increased within 5 years of settling in Australia (32) . Participants were grouped into a duration of '≤5 years' or '>5 years'.…”