Healthy eating in UK minority ethnic households : influences and way forward

Many minority ethnic groups living in the UK experience health inequalities in the form of higher rates of mortality and morbidity as compared to the white population (Liu, et al., 2015; Liu et al., 2012; Ghouri, 2005; Nazroo, 2003; Bhopal, 2002). It has been argued that health inequalities experienced by minority ethnic populations will in part be affected by food differences (Ludwig, Cox and Ellahi, 2011; Ludvigsen and Scott, 2009). However, there is limited evidence on the food choices and eating practices of minority ethnic populations due to small sample sizes, difficulties in collecting information and small scale contradictory findings. It is therefore not a surprise that policies and practices informed by limited and contradictory evidence have not been able to tackle the issues of healthy diet and obesity. This paper draws on the findings from academic and grey literature, alongside the outcomes from a qualitative study conducted in three cities in the North of England which explored the influences on food choices among minority ethnic populations. Where possible, UK literature has been used. Because South Asian minorities are the most populous in the UK and there is a larger existing literature on their dietary practices, it has been easier to provide examples from these communities. UK based examples from other minority ethnic populations have been used where possible, but in some instances the findings from other Western countries have been used instead. It must not be assumed that minority ethnic groups have homogenous food practices. Keywords: health inequality; health inequalities; minority ethnic; healthy eating; food