1. Attitudinal Determinants of Diet and Lifestyle among Ethnic Minority Women S. Comegna, R. Begum, A. Draper, A. R. Amorim Adegboye Department of Human and Health Science – Faculty of Science and Technology University of Westminster, 115, New Cavendish Street, London, UK University of Westminster, London, UK
Setting
A sample of 300 AC women split equally between ethnicities, will be self-selected with a maximum diversity in South-East London and Westminster University community.
Inclusion criteria Women of reproductive age (≥18-49 years) from AC populations living in London. 
Exclusion criteria
Pregnant women or less than 6 weeks postpartum.
Women cognitively or physically unable to take part.
Impact
This study will enable better elucidation of the qualitative and quantitative relationships between lifestyle, biologic variables, behavioural and attitudinal issues underpinning the nutritional and health status of AC migrant women in the UK.
Consequently, study findings will assist to translate epidemiological knowledge into future preventive actions.
References:
Gatineau, M. and Mathrani, S. (2011). Ethnicity and obesity in the UK. Perspectives in Public Health.131:159-60
Loring, B. and Robertson, A. (2014). Obesity and inequalities: Guidance for addressing inequities in overweight and obesity. Copenhagen, Denmark: World Health Organization, Europe.
Cowburn,G. and Stockley L.(2005). Consumer understanding and use of nutrition labelling: a systematic review. Public Health Nutr.; 8:21-8.
Cooke, R. and  Papadaki, A. (2014). Nutrition label use mediates the positive relationship between nutrition knowledge and attitudes towards healthy eating with dietary quality among university students in the UK. Appetite. 83, 297–303
Background
African and Caribbean (AC) women have the highest obesity prevalence (38% & 32%, respectively) among all ethnic groups in the UK.(Gatinau and Mathrani, 2011)
Fig.1 Prevalence of obesity in adults by ethnic group in 2004, UK.
Adults (aged 16+) obesity: BMI > 30kg/m2
Source: Health Survey for England (2004).
Psychosocial, biological and contextual factors may influence the excess of weight gain. (Loring and Robertson, 2014)
Childbearing and parenthood, literacy, cultural habits, religious constraints as understanding of food labelling are all likely to influence dietary habits. (Cowburn and Stockley, 2005)
Aims
To investigate to what extend length of UK residence and understanding of food labelling influence dietary and lifestyle habits among AC women.
To assess the nutritional composition and contribution that traditional foods make to dietary intake of this group.
Study design
A mixed methods, cross-sectional study using a conceptual framework based on a modified model proposed by Cooke and Papadaki (2014).
Fig.2 Conceptual framework for studying effects of nutrition knowledge and attitude on nutrition label use and dietary quality.
Source: Cooke and Papadaki (2014).
Methods
Phase I: quantitative attitudinal data & dietary information collected via questionnaire
Physiological parameters (height, weight, waist and hip circumferences, % of body-fat) and biochemical parameters (blood pressure, HDL - LDL, total cholesterol, triglycerides and blood glucose) collected during phase I.
Phase II: qualitative data on attitudes will collected via focus group discussion (using a thematic framework).
Ethical approval for this research was provided by the University of Westminster
VRE
28 JAN 2016