Fukushima J. Med. Sci.,
Vol. 51, No. 1, 2005

［Review Article］

LOW BIRTH WEIGHT IN SOUTH ASIAN BABIES IN BRITAIN :
TIME TO REDUCE THE INEQUALITIES

JOHN OLDROYD

Clinical Epidemiology Group, Manchester University Medical School,
Oxford Rd, Manchester University, M139PT, UK

(Received November 22, 2004, accepted June 27, 2005)

Abstract: Babies born in Britain to women of South Asian ethnic origin are lighter on average than the offspring of women of European origin.　The causes have been incompletely elucidated but nutritional factors, low socioeconomic status and maternal pre-pregnancy weight have been implicated.　This health inequality has received little policy prioritization in Britain.　As further research clarifies reasons for this differential, appropriately targeted preventive strategies need to be implemented.

Key words: South Asian, low birth weight

Correspondence to: John Oldroyd, School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Victoria, Australia, 3000.
E-mail: john.oldroyd@deakin.edu.au