Maintenance of traditional cultural orientation is associated with lower rates of obesity and sedentary behaviours among African migrant children to Australia

Background: Migrants from developing to developed countries rapidly develop more obesity than the host population. While the effects of socio-economic status on obesity are well established, the influence of cultural factors, including acculturation, is not known. Objective: To examine the association between acculturation and obesity and its risk factors among African migrant children in Australia. Design and participants: A cross-sectional study using a non-probability sample of 3- to 12-year-old sub-Saharan African migrant children. A bidimensional model of strength of affiliation with African and Australian cultures was used to divide the sample into four cultural orientations: traditional (African), assimilated (Australian), integrated (both) and marginalized (neither). Main outcome measures: Body mass index (BMI), leisure-time physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviours (SBs) and energy density of food. Results: In all, 18.4% (95% confidence interval (CI): 14-23%) were overweight and 8.6% (95% CI: 6-12%) were obese. After adjustment for confounders, integrated (β=1.1; P<0.05) and marginalized (β=1.4; P<0.01) children had higher BMI than traditional children. However, integrated children had significantly higher time engaged in both PA (β=46.9, P<0.01) and SBs (β=43.0, P<0.05) than their traditional counterparts. In comparison with traditional children, assimilated children were more sedentary (β=57.5, P<0.01) while marginalization was associated with increased consumption of energy-dense foods (β=42.0, P