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IJE Advance Access originally published online on January 19, 2008
International Journal of Epidemiology 2008 37(1):162-172; doi:10.1093/ije/dym252
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Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the International Epidemiological Association © The Author 2007; all rights reserved.
The online version of this article has been published under an open access model. Users are entitled to use, reproduce, disseminate, or display the open access version of this article for non-commercial purposes provided that: the original authorship is properly and fully attributed; the Journal and Oxford University Press are attributed as the original place of publication with the correct citation details given; if an article is subsequently reproduced or disseminated not in its entirety but only in part or as a derivative work this must be clearly indicated. For commercial re-use, please contact journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

Ethnic differences in overweight and obesity in early adolescence in the MRC DASH study: the role of adolescent and parental lifestyle

Seeromanie Harding1,*, Alison Teyhan1, Maria J Maynard1 and J Kennedy Cruickshank2

1Medical Research Council, Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, 4 Lilybank Gardens, Glasgow, Scotland G12 8RZ, UK.
2Division of Cardiovascular and Endocrine Sciences, University of Manchester, Core Technology Facility, Manchester M13 9NT, UK.

* Corresponding author. Medical Research Council, Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, 4 Lilybank Gardens, Glasgow, Scotland G12 8RZ, UK. E-mail: seeromanie{at}sphsu.mrc.ac.uk


  Abstract

Background: Ethnicity is a consistent correlate of excess weight in youth. We examine the influence of lifestyles on ethnic differences in excess weight in early adolescence in the UK.

Method: Data were collected from 6599 pupils, aged 11–13 years in 51 schools, on dietary practices and physical activity, parental smoking and overweight, and on overweight and obesity (using International Obesity Task Force criteria).

Results: Skipping breakfast [girls odds ratio (OR) 1.74, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.30–2.34; boys OR 2.06; CI 1.57–2.70], maternal smoking (girls OR 2.04, CI 1.49–2.79; boys OR 1.63, CI 1.21–2.21) and maternal overweight (girls OR 2.01, CI 1.29–3.13; boys OR 2.47, CI 1.63–3.73) were associated with obesity. Skipping breakfast, more common among girls, was associated with other poor dietary practices. Compared with White UK peers, Black Caribbeans (girls OR 1.62, CI 1.24–2.12; boys OR 1.49, CI 1.15–1.95) and Black Africans (girls OR 1.96, CI 1.52–2.53; boys OR 2.50, CI 1.92–3.27) were more likely to skip breakfast and engage in other poor dietary practices, and Indians were least likely. White Other boys reported more maternal smoking (OR 1.37, CI 1.03–1.82). All these reports were more common among those born in the UK than those born elsewhere. Black Caribbean girls were more likely to be overweight (OR 1.38, CI 1.02–1.87) and obese (OR 1.65, CI 1.05–2.58), Black African girls to be overweight (OR 1.35, CI 1.02–1.79) and White Other boys to be overweight (OR 1.37, CI 1.00–1.88) and obese (OR 1.86, CI 1.15–3.00). Adverse dietary habits and being born in the UK contributed to these patterns.

Conclusion: These findings signal a potential exacerbating effect on ethnic differences in obesity if adverse dietary habits persist. Combined adolescent and parent-focused interventions should be considered.

Accepted 28 November 2007


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