Thesis (Mnutr)--Stellenbosch Univresity, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate post-immigration BMI changes in a South African immigrant population and how dietary intake and habitual physical activity reflect these changes. The study was designed as a cross-sectional, observational survey. Thirty-six volunteers aged 20 - 50 years were included in the sample. Volunteers were South African immigrants in the Atlanta area, USA, who have lived in the USA for more than 6 months but less than 5 years. METHOD: Subjects were required to complete four questionnaires including a selfadministered socia-demographic, physical activity and food frequency questionnaire. The weight history questionnaire containing measurements including height, weight and waist circumference was completed by the investigator. RESULTS: A significant increase in BMI was indicated for both male (p=0.036) and female (p=0.0009) subjects. The increase in BMI for two age categories, 20-29 years (p = 0.018) and 30-39 years (p = 0.006), was also significant. Forty five percent of females reported an energy intake above the Estimated Energy Requirement (EER) for active individuals. Reported saturated fatty acid intake (13% of TE) exceeded the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMOR). The prevalence of inadequate n-3 and n-6 PUFA as well as fibre intake was high, especially in men. Sixty four percent of the population had a 'low active' physical activity level (PAL). CONCLUSION: The observed increase in post-immigration BMI implies that the South African immigrant population, similar to other immigrant populations, has adopted to some extent, the lifestyle and dietary habits of the general US population. As a result, the South African immigrant population may also be subject to increased chronic disease risk. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: INLEIDING: Die doel van hierdie studie was om die veranderinge in liggaamsmassa index (LMI) wat met immigrasie gepaard gaan in In Suid-Afrikaanse immigrant populasie te ondersoek, asook hoe die populasie se dieet en fisieke aktiwiteit hierdie veranderinge reflekteer. Die studie was In dwarssnit, observasie opname. Die steekproef het bestaan uit 36 vrywilligers (20 - 50 jaar oud). Respondente was deel van In Suid-Afrikaanse immigrant populasie in die Atlanta area, VSA, wat vir langer as 6 maande en korter as 5 jaar in die VSA woonagtig was. METODE: Respondente is versoek om vier vraelyste te voltooi insluitende In sosiodemografiese, fisieke aktiwiteit, -en voedsel frekwensie vraelys. Antropometriese metings, insluitende massa, lengte en middelomtrek is deur die navorser op die massa geskiedenis vraelys aangeteken. RESULTATE: In Betekenisvolle toename in LMI vir beide mans (p=0.036) en vroue (p=0.0009) is gevind. Die toename in LMI vir respondente 20-29 jaar (p = 0.018) en 30- 39 jaar (p = 0.006) was ook betekenisvol. Vyf-en-veertig persent vroue se energie inname was hoër as die aanbevole daaglikse inname vir aktiewe individue. Die populasie se versadigde vetsuur inname (13% van totale energie) was hoër as die aanvaarbare makronutriënt verspreiding. Die prevalensie vir onvoldoende innname van n-3 en n-6 poli-onversadigde vetsure, asook vesel inname was hoog, veralonder mans. Vier-en-sestig persent van die populasie se fisieke aktiwiteit vlak is geklassifiseer as 'lae aktiwiteit' . GEVOLGTREKKING: Die waargenome toename in LMI impliseer dat die studie populasie, soortgelyk aan ander immigrant populasies, die lewensstyl en dieet gewoontes van die algemene Amerikaanse populasie tot In sekere mate aangeneem het en is dus ook onderhewig aan die gevolglike toename in risiko vir kroniese siekte van lewensstyl.