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Cited by 66Obesity, Physical Activity, DietObesity and Health PracticesEating Disorders and Behaviors

Ethnic differences in perceptions of body size in middle-aged European, Maori and Pacific people living in New Zealand

Metcalf, PA, Scragg, RKR, Willoughby, P, Finau, S, Tipene-Leach, D·2000·International Journal of Obesity
DOI 10.1038/sj.ijo.0801202
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Abstract

Objectives The aim of this study was to compare perceptions of body size in European, Maori and Pacific Islands people with measured body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio and change in BMI since age 21 y. Socio-demographic factors that influenced perceptions of body size were also investigated. Design Cross-sectional survey. Methods Participants were 5554 workers, aged > or =40 y, recruited from companies in New Zealand during 1988-1990. Results Prevalences of BMI>25 kg/m2 were: Europeans, 64.7% men, 47.2% women; Maori, 93.2% men, 80.6% women; and Pacific Islanders, 94.1% men, 92.9% women. Similarly, prevalences of BMI >30 kg/m2 were: Europeans, 14.4% men, 14.6% women; Maori, 55.0% men, 41.9% women; and Pacific Islanders, 55.1% men, 71.7% women. At each perception of body size category, Maori and Pacific Islands men and women had a higher BMI than European men and women, respectively. BMI increased with increasing perception of body size in all gender and ethnic groups. Since age 21, increases in BMI were highest in Pacific Islands people and increased with increasing perceptions of body size category in all ethnic and gender groups. BMI adjusted odds (95% CI) of being in a lower perception category for body size were 1.70 (1.38-2.12) in Maori and 8.99 (7.30-11.09) in Pacific people compared to Europeans, 1.27 (1.13-1.42) times higher for people with no tertiary education, 1.41 (1.25-1.59) times higher in people with low socioeconomic status, and 0.94 (0.92- 0.95) for change in BMI since age 21. Conclusion Nutritional programs aimed at reducing levels of obesity should be ethnic-specific, addressing food and health in the context of their culture, and also take into account the socioeconomic status of the group. On the population level, obesity reduction programs may be more beneficial if they are aimed at the maintenance of weight at age 21.

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Crossref · 10.1038/sj.ijo.0801202

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  • Australia and New Zealand are multiethnic territories with communities such as Pacific women and Māori women who have a higher prevalence of incorrect BMI and gestational diabetes mellitus.

    “Australia and New Zealand are multiethnic territories with communities, who have a higher prevalence of incorrect BMI and GDM, such as Pacific women, or Māori women [13].”

    From Evolution of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus across Continents in 21st Century (2022) · cites this paper as [13]

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Authors
Metcalf, P., Scragg, R., Willoughby, P., Finau, S., & Tipene-Leach, D.
Affiliations
University of Auckland (NZ)
Corresponding author
Metcalf, PA
Venue
International Journal of Obesity
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2000-05
Volume
24
Issue
5
Pages
593-599
ISSN
  • 0307-0565 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-5497
DOI
10.1038/sj.ijo.0801202
OpenAlex
W1987098463
Cited by
65
References
27
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 4 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 4
FWCI
1.13
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
Locations
  • International Journal of Obesity (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Pharmacy › Obesity and Health Practices
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
Keywords
body size perception, obesity, ethnic differences, Māori, Pacific Islanders, European peoples, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, middle-aged adults, socioeconomic status, educational attainment, obesity prevention programs, New Zealand, gender differences in obesity
MeSH terms
Adult, Body Constitution, Europe, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, New Zealand, Polynesia, Size Perception, Socioeconomic Factors, Body Mass Index, White People

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