Chronic diseases and their behavioural risk factors among South Asian immigrants in Australia

Article

Nisar, Mehwish, Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy and Khan, Asaduzzaman. 2024. "Chronic diseases and their behavioural risk factors among South Asian immigrants in Australia." Australian Health Review. https://doi.org/10.1071/AH24032
Article Title

Chronic diseases and their behavioural risk factors among South Asian immigrants in Australia

ERA Journal ID13431
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsNisar, Mehwish, Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy and Khan, Asaduzzaman
Journal TitleAustralian Health Review
Number of Pages8
Year2024
PublisherCSIRO Publishing
ISSN0156-5788
1449-8944
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1071/AH24032
Web Address (URL)https://www.publish.csiro.au/ah/AH24032
Abstract

Objectives
The prevalence of chronic diseases among immigrants varies across different ethnic groups attributed to the disparities in their risk factors. This study aimed to explore the prevalence and correlates of chronic diseases among the rapidly growing South Asian population in Australia.

Methods
An online survey was administered (2020–2021) among South Asian immigrants in Australia. Diagnosed chronic diseases, smoking habits, physical activity, alcohol consumption, body mass index, and fruit and vegetable intake were assessed. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to examine factors associated with chronic disease.

Results
Overall, 50% of the study participants had one chronic disease and 39% had more than one chronic disease (n = 282). Back pain (30%), depression (22%), diabetes (21%), hypertension (19%), and heart disease (12%) were the most reported diseases. Approximately 78% of participants were insufficiently active and 38% regularly consumed alcohol. Approximately three-quarters consumed fruits and vegetables less than once per day. Multivariable analyses showed that those who were aged more than 50 years (OR = 4.38, 95% CI 1.66–11.56), consumed alcohol more than once/month (OR = 3.25, 95% CI 1.17–8.96), and ate less than one serving of vegetables/day (OR = 2.94, 95% CI 1.19–7.26) had higher odds of having two or more chronic diseases.

Conclusions
Fifty percent of study participants presented with preventable diseases, signifying a substantial health burden. Public health interventions should primarily focus on reducing alcohol intake and increasing fruit and vegetable consumption, particularly among individuals of advanced age, to reduce the overall burden on the healthcare system.

KeywordsAustralia; chronic illness; diabetes; healthy diet; lifestyle risk factors; migrants; multimorbidity; prevention; risk factors; South Asia
Contains Sensitive ContentDoes not contain sensitive content
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020420699. Public health not elsewhere classified
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Byline AffiliationsUniversity of Queensland
School of Health and Medical Sciences
Centre for Health Research
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From evidence-based research to practice-based evidence: disseminating a web-based computer-tailored workplace sitting intervention through a Health Promotion Organisation
De Cocker, Katrien, Cardon, Greet, Bennie, Jason A., Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy, De Meester, Femke and Vandelanotte, Corneel. 2018. "From evidence-based research to practice-based evidence: disseminating a web-based computer-tailored workplace sitting intervention through a Health Promotion Organisation." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 15 (5). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph15051049
Shifting the physical inactivity curve worldwide by closing the gender gap
Mielke, Gregore I., da Silva, Inacio Chrochemore M., Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy L. and Brown, Wendy J.. 2018. "Shifting the physical inactivity curve worldwide by closing the gender gap." Sports Medicine. 48 (2), pp. 481-489. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-017-0754-7
The relationship between functional status, physical fitness and cognitive performance in physically active older adults: A pilot study
Ramnath, U., Rauch, L., Lambert, E. V. and Kolbe-Alexander, T. L.. 2018. "The relationship between functional status, physical fitness and cognitive performance in physically active older adults: A pilot study." PLoS One. 13 (4), pp. 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0194918
Shift work and the risk of cardiovascular disease. A systematic review and meta-analysis including dose–response relationship
Torquati, Luciana, Mielke, Gregore I., Brown, Wendy J. and Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy. 2018. "Shift work and the risk of cardiovascular disease. A systematic review and meta-analysis including dose–response relationship." Scandonavian Journal of Work Environment and Health. 44 (3), pp. 229-238. https://doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.3700
Flexible work: The impact of a new policy on employees’ sedentary behaviour and physical activity
Olsen, Heidi M, Brown, Wendy J., Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy and Burton, Nicola W.. 2017. "Flexible work: The impact of a new policy on employees’ sedentary behaviour and physical activity." Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 60 (1), pp. 23-28. https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000001190
Gender equality in sport for improved public health
Brown, Wendy J., Mielke, Gregore I. and Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy L.. 2016. "Gender equality in sport for improved public health." The Lancet. 388 (10051), pp. 1257-1258. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(16)30881-9
Which Women are Highly Active Over a 12-Year Period? A Prospective Analysis of Data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health
Pavey, Toby G., Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy L., Uitdewilligen, Leonie and Brown, Wendy J.. 2017. "Which Women are Highly Active Over a 12-Year Period? A Prospective Analysis of Data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health." Sports Medicine. 47 (12), pp. 2653-2666. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-017-0732-0
The economic burden of physical inactivity: a systematic review and critical appraisal
Ding, Ding, Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy, Nguyen, Binh, Katzmarzyk, Peter T., Pratt, Michael and Lawson, Kenny D.. 2017. "The economic burden of physical inactivity: a systematic review and critical appraisal." British Journal of Sports Medicine. 51 (19), pp. 1392-1409. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2016-097385
Sitting time, physical activity and sleep by work type and pattern – The Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health
Clark, Bronwyn k., Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy L., Duncan, Mitch J. and Brown, Wendy. 2017. "Sitting time, physical activity and sleep by work type and pattern – The Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 14 (3). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14030290
Participation in fitness-related activities of an incentive-based health promotion program and hospital costs: a retrospective longitudinal study
Patel, Deepak, Lambert, Estelle V., da Silva, Roseanne, Greyling, Mike, Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy, Noach, Adam, Conradie, Jaco, Nossel, Craig, Borrenson, Jill and Gaziano, Thomas. 2011. "Participation in fitness-related activities of an incentive-based health promotion program and hospital costs: a retrospective longitudinal study." American Journal of Health Promotion. 25 (5), pp. 341-348. https://doi.org/10.4278/ajhp.100603-QUAN-172
Construct validity of the neighborhood environment walkability scale for Africa
Oyeyemi, Adewale L., Conway, Terry L., Adedoyin, Rufus A., Akinroye, Kingsley K., Aryeetey, Richmond, Assah, Felix, Cain, Kelli L., Gavand, Kavita A., Kosoma, Sandra S., Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy L., Lambert, Estelle V., Larouche, Richard, Moss, Sarah J., Ocansey, Reginald, Onywera, Vincent O., Prista, Antonio, Tremblay, Mark S. and Sallis, James F.. 2017. "Construct validity of the neighborhood environment walkability scale for Africa." Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. 49 (3), pp. 482-491. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000001131
'Be active!' Revisiting the South African food-based dietary guideline for activity
Botha, C. R., Wright, H. H., Moss, Sarah and Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy L.. 2013. "'Be active!' Revisiting the South African food-based dietary guideline for activity." South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 26 (3 (Supplement)), pp. S18-S27.
Non-communicable disease prevention and worksite health promotion programs: a brief review
Kolbe-Alexander, T. L. and Lambert, E. V.. 2013. "Non-communicable disease prevention and worksite health promotion programs: a brief review." Occupational Medicine and Health Affairs. 1 (7), pp. 1-8. https://doi.org/10.4172/2329-6879.1000141
Innovative strategies targeting obesity and non-communicable diseases in South Africa: what can we learn from the private healthcare sector?
Lambert, E. V. and Kolbe-Alexander, T. L.. 2013. "Innovative strategies targeting obesity and non-communicable diseases in South Africa: what can we learn from the private healthcare sector?" Obesity Reviews. 14 (2 (Supplement)), pp. 141-149. https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.12094
The relationship between leadership support, workplace health promotion and employee wellbeing in South Africa
Milner, Karen, Greyling, Michael, Goetzel, Ron, da Silva, Roseanne, Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy, Patel, Deepak, Nossel, Craig and Beckowski, Meghan. 2015. "The relationship between leadership support, workplace health promotion and employee wellbeing in South Africa." Health Promotion International. 30 (3), pp. 514-522. https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/dat064
The perceived role and influencers of physical activity among pregnant women from low socioeconomic status communities in South Africa
Muzigaba, Moise, Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy L. and Wong, Fiona. 2014. "The perceived role and influencers of physical activity among pregnant women from low socioeconomic status communities in South Africa." Journal of Physical Activity and Health. 11 (7), pp. 1276-1283. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2012-0386
The Healthiest Company Index: a campaign to promote worksite wellness in South Africa
Patel, Deepak, Goetzel, Ron Z., Beckowski, Meghan, Milner, Karen, Greyling, Mike, da Silva, Roseanne, Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy, Tabrizi, Maryam J. and Nossel, Craig. 2013. "The Healthiest Company Index: a campaign to promote worksite wellness in South Africa." Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 55 (2), pp. 172-178. https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0b013e3182728d61
The relationship between workplace environment and employee health behaviors in a South African workforce
Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy, Greyling, Michael, da Silva, Roseanne, Milner, Karen, Patel, Deepak, Wyper, Lauren, Beckowski, Meghan, Lambert, Estelle V. and Goetzel, Ron. 2014. "The relationship between workplace environment and employee health behaviors in a South African workforce." Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 56 (10), pp. 1094-1099. https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000000236
Nurses’ lifestyle behaviours, health priorities and barriers to living a healthy lifestyle: a qualitative descriptive study
Phiri, Lindokuhle P., Draper, Catherine E., Lambert, Estelle V. and Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy L.. 2014. "Nurses’ lifestyle behaviours, health priorities and barriers to living a healthy lifestyle: a qualitative descriptive study." BMC Nursing. 13 (38), pp. 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-014-0038-6
Steps that count: physical activity recommendations, brisk walking, and steps per minute - how do they relate?
Pillay, Julian D., Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy L., Proper, Karin I., van Mechelen, Willem and Lambert, Estelle V.. 2014. "Steps that count: physical activity recommendations, brisk walking, and steps per minute - how do they relate?" Journal of Physical Activity and Health. 11 (3), pp. 502-508. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2012-0210
The relationship between the built environment and habitual levels of physical activity in South African older adults: a pilot study
Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy L., Pacheco, Kyla, Tomaz, Simone A., Karpul, David and Lambert, Estelle V.. 2015. "The relationship between the built environment and habitual levels of physical activity in South African older adults: a pilot study." BMC Public Health. 15 (518), pp. 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-015-1853-8
The association between daily steps and health, and the mediating role of body composition: a pedometer-based, cross-sectional study in an employed South African population
Pillay, Julian D., van der Ploeg, Hidde P., Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy L., Proper, Karin I., van Stralen, Maartjie, Tomaz, Simone A., van Mechelen, Willem and Lambert, Eztelle V.. 2015. "The association between daily steps and health, and the mediating role of body composition: a pedometer-based, cross-sectional study in an employed South African population." BMC Public Health. 15 (174), pp. 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-015-1381-6
A comparative study of Australian and New Zealand male and female nurses’ health: a sex comparison and gender analysis
Tuckett, Anthony, Henwood, Tim, Oliffe, John L., Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy L. and Rin Kim, Jae. 2016. "A comparative study of Australian and New Zealand male and female nurses’ health: a sex comparison and gender analysis." American Journal of Men's Health. 10 (6), pp. 450-458. https://doi.org/10.1177/1557988314567222
Steps that count: pedometer-measured physical activity, self-reported physical activity and current physical guidelines ‒ how do they relate?
Pillay, J. D., Kolbe-Alexander, T. L., Proper, K. I., Tomaz, S. A, van Mechelen, W. and Lambert, E. V.. 2014. "Steps that count: pedometer-measured physical activity, self-reported physical activity and current physical guidelines ‒ how do they relate?" South African Journal of Sports Medicine. 26 (3), pp. 77-81. https://doi.org/10.7196/SAJSM.534
Steps that count: the association between the number and intensity of steps accumulated and fitness and health measures
Pillay, Julian David, Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy L., van Mechelen, Willem and Lambert, Estelle Vicki. 2014. "Steps that count: the association between the number and intensity of steps accumulated and fitness and health measures." Journal of Physical Activity and Health. 11 (1), pp. 10-17. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2011-0288
Clustering of risk factors for non-communicable disease and healthcare expenditure in employees with private health insurance presenting for health risk appraisal: a cross-sectional study
Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy L., Conradie, Jaco and Lambert, Estelle V.. 2013. "Clustering of risk factors for non-communicable disease and healthcare expenditure in employees with private health insurance presenting for health risk appraisal: a cross-sectional study." BMC Public Health. 13 (1213), pp. 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-13-1213
Steps that count! A feasibility study of a pedometer-based, healthpromotion intervention in an employed, South African population
Pillay, J. D., Kolbe-Alexander, T. L., Proper, K. I., van Mechelen, W. and Lambert, E. V.. 2014. "Steps that count! A feasibility study of a pedometer-based, healthpromotion intervention in an employed, South African population." South African Journal of Sports Medicine. 26 (1), pp. 15-19. https://doi.org/10.7196/SAJSM.500
Promoting diet and physical activity in nurses: a systematic review
Torquati, Luciana, Pavey, Toby, Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy and Leveritt, Michael. 2017. "Promoting diet and physical activity in nurses: a systematic review." American Journal of Health Promotion. 31 (1), pp. 19-27. https://doi.org/10.4278/ajhp.141107-LIT-562
NEWS for Africa: adaptation and reliability of a built environment questionnaire for physical activity in seven African countries
Oyeyemi, Adewale L., Kasoma, Sandra S., Onywera, Vincent O., Assah, Felix, Adedoyin, Rufus A., Conway, Terry L., Moss, Sarah J., Ocansey, Reginald, Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy L., Akinroye, Kingsley K., Prista, Antonio, Larouche, Richard, Gavand, Kavita A., Cain, Kelli L., Lambert, Estelle V., Aryeetey, Richmond, Bartels, Clare, Tremblay, Mark S. and Sallis, James F.. 2016. "NEWS for Africa: adaptation and reliability of a built environment questionnaire for physical activity in seven African countries." International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. 13 (33), pp. 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-016-0357-y
Diet and physical activity behaviour in nurses: a qualitative study
Torquati, Luciana, Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy L, Pavey, Toby, Perrson, Christina and Leveritt, Michael. 2016. "Diet and physical activity behaviour in nurses: a qualitative study." International Journal of Health Promotion and Education. 54 (6), pp. 268-282. https://doi.org/10.1080/14635240.2016.1169943
The economic burden of physical inactivity: a global analysis of major non-communicable diseases
Ding, Ding, Lawson, Kenny D., Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy L., Finkelstein, Eric A., Katzmarzyk, Peter T., van Mechelen, Willem and Pratt, Michael. 2016. "The economic burden of physical inactivity: a global analysis of major non-communicable diseases." The Lancet. 388 (10051), pp. 1311-1324. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(16)30383-X
Can the use of Bus Rapid Transit lead to a healthier lifestyle in urban South Africa? The SUN Study
Bartels, Clare, Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy, Behrens, Roger, Hendricks, Sharief and Lambert, Estelle V.. 2016. "Can the use of Bus Rapid Transit lead to a healthier lifestyle in urban South Africa? The SUN Study." Journal of Transport and Health. 3 (2), pp. 200-210. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jth.2016.04.003
Cardiovascular fitness is associated with bias between self-reported and objectively measured physical activity
Tomaz, S. A., Lambert, E. V., Karpul, D. and Kolbe-Alexander, T. L.. 2016. "Cardiovascular fitness is associated with bias between self-reported and objectively measured physical activity." European Journal of Sport Science. 16 (1), pp. 149-157. https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2014.987323
Working on wellness (WOW): a worksite health promotion intervention programme
Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy L., Proper, Karin I., Lambert, Estelle V., van Wier, Marieke F., Pillay, Julian D., Nossel, Craig, Adonis, Leegale and Van Mechelen, Willem. 2012. "Working on wellness (WOW): a worksite health promotion intervention programme." BMC Public Health. 12 (1), pp. 372-383. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-12-372
Steps that count!: The development of a pedometer-based health promotion intervention in an employed, health insured South African population
Pillay, Julian D., Kolbe-Alexander, Tracy, Proper, Karin I., van Mechelen, Willem and Lambert, Estelle V.. 2012. "Steps that count!: The development of a pedometer-based health promotion intervention in an employed, health insured South African population." BMC Public Health. 12 (1), pp. 880-887. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-12-880