Differences in anthropometric and biochemical profile between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians observed in the eGFR study

Abstract

1.1 Introduction
The burden of chronic disease in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is high and in part contributes to the significant life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians (1). Disparities in nutrition contribute to this unequal burden of disease and mortality, including chronic kidney disease (CKD) (2).

Studies that describe the nutritional status of non-Indigenous Australians may not be applicable to Indigenous Australians (3). Similarly there is likely to be differences that exist between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Little evidence exists about these differences and similarities. Therefore there is a clinical need for research within this area. This includes anthropometric and biochemical indicators of nutritional status in both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The data for this analysis are those from The eGFR Study. The eGFR study assessed skin fold measurements, biochemical markers of nutritional status, fat mass from bioelectrical impedance and thereby provided some information to inform the current evidence gap.

1.2 Hypothesis
Variation in markers of nutritional status exists between genders and ethnicities in a population of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who participated in the eGFR Study.

1.3 Aims
To describe the anthropometric and biochemical markers of nutritional status in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants of The eGFR Study.

Date of Award	Mar 2015
Original language	English
Supervisor	Jaquelyne Hughes (Supervisor)