The structural determinants of obesity in UK’s ethnic minority populations: a mixed-methods study of migration, acculturation, and inequality

In the UK, an estimated 1 in 4 adults are living with obesity, however, this disease burden is not shared equally. Women from ethnic minority groups, such as Black Caribbean, Black African, and Pakistani, and those who are most deprived suffer disproportionately. Initially, ethnic minority groups who migrate to the UK appear to exhibit relatively lower obesity prevalence, however, after extended time living in the UK, obesity prevalence tends to converge to the levels of UK-born ethnic minorities. Reasons for this include adaptation to the culture, socioeconomic inequality, and environmental factors of the UK, such as the food system and discrimination. I will investigate the adaptations that occur in the UK by comparing levels of obesity within and between ethnic groups. Analysis of different datasets will ensure multidimensionality and triangulation: a healthcare perspective will utilise medically recorded instances of obesity, a survey approach will look at self- reported eating patterns and lifestyle factors, and a qualitative approach will centre the lived experiences of those affected. Investigating the process of acculturation from a system-wide perspective will facilitate a real-world examination of its impact on health-related behaviours, informing pragmatic interventions aimed at driving sustained and progressive reductions in health disparities.