March 2006

Objectives To examine the extent to which an areca nut habit is engaged in within the family and degree to which the habit may be used to suppress hunger amongst South Asian schoolchildren with a view to informing health promotion campaigns. Research Design Self-administered questionnaire. Setting Two comprehensive schools (one mixed, one all girls) in the Tower Hamlets district of East London, UK. Participants 341 (285 girls; 56 boys) children of self-reported South Asian origin (Bangladeshi 286, Pakistani 4, Asian, 51) who reported currently engaging in an areca nut habit. Results Areca nut habits were mainly used in a family context. Smaller proportions of children reported predominant use alone or with peers. A substantial minority reported using their habit to suppress hunger. Conclusion The family plays a crucial role in maintaining areca nut use. This implies effective health promotion campaigns must operate at the family and even community levels rather than being targeted at the children directly. Key words: Areca nut, health promotion, hunger suppression, paan, use within family