BACKGROUND: Migration and adaptation to a new cultural environment is known to be a factor of psychological stress. Stress and the lifestyle may explain, in part, the health status of immigrant population, with an increasing risk of diseases with length of residence in the new environment. Previous research has demonstrated the prevalence of unhealthy behaviors and risk factors in immigrants. Our aim was to investigate ethnic differences in nutritional and health status among six immigrant groups in Bologna, Italy. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: This study is part of the project: “Sanitary Assistance and Overseeing in the Community for Italian Indigent Citizen and Immigrants”, conducted in 2000-02. Study participants include more than 400 subjects immigrated in Italy from Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal, Pakistan, Kosovo and Gypsies. These immigrants were mainly young adults of both sexes. Participants had clinical and anthropometric examinations and were asked to complete the study questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS: We found ethnic differences in nutritional and health status. Ethnic differences were discussed in relation to obesity prevalence. One approach to solving immigrant problems may be to call for action in health policy and preventive health programmes.
Gualdi-Russo E., Toselli S., Dallari M.G., Previti D. (2006). Nutritional and health status of immigrants in the Bologna district. BOLOGNA : CLUEB.
Nutritional and health status of immigrants in the Bologna district
TOSELLI, STEFANIA;
2006
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Migration and adaptation to a new cultural environment is known to be a factor of psychological stress. Stress and the lifestyle may explain, in part, the health status of immigrant population, with an increasing risk of diseases with length of residence in the new environment. Previous research has demonstrated the prevalence of unhealthy behaviors and risk factors in immigrants. Our aim was to investigate ethnic differences in nutritional and health status among six immigrant groups in Bologna, Italy. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: This study is part of the project: “Sanitary Assistance and Overseeing in the Community for Italian Indigent Citizen and Immigrants”, conducted in 2000-02. Study participants include more than 400 subjects immigrated in Italy from Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal, Pakistan, Kosovo and Gypsies. These immigrants were mainly young adults of both sexes. Participants had clinical and anthropometric examinations and were asked to complete the study questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS: We found ethnic differences in nutritional and health status. Ethnic differences were discussed in relation to obesity prevalence. One approach to solving immigrant problems may be to call for action in health policy and preventive health programmes.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
