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Habitual dietary omega-3 intakes of UK ethnic minority groups – A pilot systematic review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 September 2015

K.E. Lane*
Affiliation:
Faculty of Education, Health & Community, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom L17 6BD
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Abstract

Type
Abstract
Copyright
Copyright © The Author 2015 

There is rising concern that some UK ethnic minority groups (EMG) are experiencing poor health outcomes, which may be linked to diet( Reference Leung and Stanner 1 ). Furthermore, there is currently a lack of data relating to EMG consumption of long chain omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC3PUFA) which offer a range of health benefits( Reference Bates, Lennox and Prentice 2 4 ). UK recommendations state that people should consume one portion of oily fish per week, to give a minimum of 0·2 percent of total energy or 0·45 g/day LC3PUFA( 5 ) or 2·2 g/d LC3PUFA when pregnant( 4 ). An official nutritional survey that encompasses intakes of specific types of LC3PUFA in EMG's has not yet been undertaken. However, general national surveys have been published in the form of the Low Income Diet and Nutrition Survey (LINDS), which encompasses some information relating to EMG's.

In this preliminary study, a search was made using defined criteria to identify published data relating to the dietary LC3PUFA intakes of EMG between 2004 and 2014. Studies included data from UK EMG such as black African and Caribbean, South Asian, Indian Asian Sikhs and other mixed race groups. Published data on the LC3PUFA intakes of EMG in the form of the NDNS( Reference Bates, Lennox and Prentice 2 ), LINDS( Reference Nelson, Erens and Bates 3 ) and three further peer review journal articles were identified( Reference Donin, Nightingale and Owen 6 Reference Lovegrove, Lovegrove and Lesauvage 8 ).

* values are geometric means for log-transformed variables

There is a limited amount of data relating to the dietary LC3PUFA intakes of EMG living in the UK and previous surveys have used relatively small numbers of participants. Results from existing studies are varied; however most lack the finer detail regarding the types of LC3PUFA that are being consumed. Further research is warranted in the form of larger dietary surveys to ascertain the individual LC3PUFA and oily fish intakes of UK EMG.

References

1. Leung, G and Stanner, S, (2011). Nutr Bull. 36 (2):161–98.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
2. Bates, B, Lennox, A, Prentice, A, et al. (2014) National Diet and Nutrition Survey: Results from Years 1–4 (combined) of the rolling programme (2008/2009–2011/12). London, Public Health England.Google Scholar
3. Nelson, M, Erens, B, Bates, B, et al. (2007) Low income diet and nutrition survey. London: T.S.O. Google Scholar
4. Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (2004) Fish Consumption: Benefits and risks. London: Committee on Toxicity.Google Scholar
5. Department of Health (1991) Dietary Reference Values for Food Energy and Nutrients for the UK. London.Google Scholar
6. Donin, AS, Nightingale, CM, Owen, CG, et al. (2010). Am J Clin Nutr. 92(4):776–83.Google Scholar
7. Thomas, B, Ghebremeskel, K, Lowy, C, (2006) Nutrition. 22(3):230–6.Google Scholar
8. Lovegrove, JA, Lovegrove, SS, Lesauvage, SV, et al. (2004). Am J Clin Nutr. 79(6):974–82.Google Scholar
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