P115 - Acculturation and Dietary Practices Among British Sri Lankan Tamils: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

Background (Background, Rationale, Prior Research, and/or Theory): The risk of chronic diseases are higher in people of South Asian origin than in Caucasian populations. Migrant epidemiological studies have shown that the risk of certain chronic diseases may be associated with lifestyle changes. Objective: To assess acculturation and dietary practices among British Sri Lankan Tamils. Study Design, Setting, Participants, Intervention: In a cross-sectional study, data were collected on the demographics, acculturation scale and dietary practices from the British Sri Lankan Tamil population. A 45 question online survey was utilized to collect this data. Outcome Measures and Analysis: Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi square tests. Results: The survey was completed by 34 participants and 53% were male (n = 17) and 47% were female (n = 15). More than half of the participants were under 30 years old (n = 20) and reported that they were born in the United Kingdom. On a 30-point acculturation scale, participants' scores ranged from 7–20. Half of the participants scored above 15 points, with higher scores indicating more acculturation. Most participants reported following a western dietary pattern for breakfast and lunch while over 60% reported consuming a traditional meal for dinner. Conclusions and Implications: British Sri Lankan Tamil breakfast and lunch menus reflect western dietary practices. However, evening meals are more reflective of traditional diets. Potentially, indicative of greater time available in the evenings to prepare traditional meals at home and of socio-economic integration into mainstream British society precluding such dietary practices during breakfast and lunch. Future nutrition education programs should place greater emphasis on the impacts of changes in breakfast and lunch dietary practices. Funding: None.