P44 The influence of acculturation on ethnic differences in obesity in England

BackgroundEthnic differences in obesity have been well documented, but comparatively little is known about whether these differences vary according to the degree of exposure to the new environment following migration.ObjectivesTo investigate the extent of generational differences in adult health-related lifestyles and socioeconomic circumstances, and explore whether these differences might explain changing patterns of obesity in ethnic minorities in England.MethodSeven ethnic minority groups were selected from the ethnically boosted 1999 and 2004 Health Survey for England (Indian n=887; Pakistani n=603; Bangladeshi n=275; Black Caribbean n=762; Black African n=147; Chinese n=413; and Irish n=1438). A White group was used as a reference population (n=5899). Age and sex adjusted logistic regression estimated the odds of having a poor health behaviour in the second generation compared to the first. Age- and sex-adjusted odds of being obese in the second generation compared to the first were estimated before and after adjusting for generational differences in health related behaviours (snacking, eating cakes and fried foods, having low levels of physical exercise, any drinking including binges, current smoking status) and socioeconomic factors (social class, equivalised income and highest qualification).ResultsOverall, second generation ethnic minority men and women were significantly more likely than the first to have low vegetable consumption (