Diet and Migration in India
Author Information
Author(s): Liza Bowen, Shah Ebrahim, Bianca De Stavola, Andy Ness, Sanjay Kinra, A.V. Bharathi, Dorairaj Prabhakaran, K. Srinath Reddy
Primary Institution: London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
Hypothesis
Rural-to-urban migrants have different macronutrient and food group intake compared to rural non-migrants, and their diet is more similar to urban non-migrants.
Conclusion
Rural to urban migration is linked to both positive and negative dietary changes that may impact cardiovascular health.
Supporting Evidence
- Median energy intake was lowest in rural participants and highest in urban participants.
- Migrants reported up to 80% higher fruit and vegetable intake than rural participants.
- Sibling-pair analyses confirmed dietary differences between migrants and their rural siblings.
Takeaway
When people move from the countryside to the city in India, they tend to eat more fruits and vegetables but also more unhealthy foods like fats and sugars.
Methodology
Participants' diets were assessed using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire.
Potential Biases
Response bias could exaggerate dietary differences if those with more distinct diets were more likely to participate.
Limitations
The study's response rate was 50%, which could introduce selection bias, and dietary measurement may be prone to error.
Participant Demographics
Participants included 6509 individuals, with a mean age of 41 years, predominantly Hindu, and varying levels of education and socioeconomic status.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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