Change in diet and body mass index in Taiwanese women with length of residence in Australia.

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine and compare anthropometric measurements and dietary intake of Taiwanese Chinese females living in Taiwan and Australia, including any effect of length of Australian residence. Height, weight, waist and hip circumference and percent total body fat were measured and dietary intake estimated using a 7-day record. Participants were Taiwanese females without systemic disease (100 from Sydney metropolitan area, Australia, 97 from Ping-Tung County, Taiwan). Subjects in Australia had similar body mass index (weight-kg/height-m(2)) and percent total body fat but higher waist and hip circumference than those in Taiwan (22.9+/-3.0 vs. 22.8+/-3.1 kg/m(2), p >0.05; 31.4+/-5.8 vs. 31.0+/-6.2 %, p >0.05; 76.2+/-7.5 vs. 72.1+/-7.3 cm, p =0.0001; 97.3+/-6.2 vs. 93.3+/-6.2 cm, p =0.0001, respectively), significance unaffected by age adjustment. Total energy intake was higher in Australia (2367+/-574 vs. 1878+/-575 Kcal) as was the caloric adjusted intake of carbohydrate and saturated fat, measured as grams (342.8+/-91.5 vs. 264.9+/-91.0 g; 30.7+/-9.1 vs. 23.0+/-9.1 g) or as percentage of caloric adjusted intake (57.3+/-1.4 vs. 55.6+/-2.3 %; 12.1+/-0.7 vs. 11.2+/-1.1 %), all p<0.001, respectively. There was a trend for anthropometric measures to increase in subjects who had lived in Australia greater than 5 years, and they also have 14 times the odds of having a waist circumference greater than 80 cm compared to those living in Australia less than 5 years (95% CI, 1.84, 112.0). The increase in waist circumference and higher energy and saturated fat intake associated with length of residence in Australia for Taiwanese females suggests an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.