Objective: To examine the health status of ethnic minorities in Italy. Furthermore, we aimed to assess the association between anthropometric and blood parameters connected with health status. Design: A cross-sectional study. Anthropometric data were collected by direct measurements and blood glucose, total cholesterol and TAG were analysed. Setting: Bologna, northern Italy. Subjects: A multi-ethnic sample of adult immigrants and Roma. Results: Significant correlations between anthropometric and blood parameters were found. Among the ethnic groups, Roma males had the highest values of glucose, total cholesterol and TAG. In the females the situation was more balanced among ethnic groups. Conclusions: The data from this survey indicate that poor health status is a very common problem among ethnic groups living in Italy, especially the Roma. The use of anthropometric parameters as rapid indicators of health status in screenings of a large number of subjects could be an effective and cheap method to provide preliminary indications on individuals or ethnic groups at greater risk of poor health. Copyright © 2014 The Authors.

anthropometrics Roma immigrants Blood parameters

hyperglycemia minority health health disparity Health Status Disparities waist to height ratio Waist-Height Ratio human sex difference middle aged Overweight diet ethnology Cross-Sectional Studies Gypsies Young Adult cross-sectional study migrant Humans male Emigrants and Immigrants female risk factor Risk Factors prevalence Romani (people) blood nutrition adult Nutrition Surveys Sex Factors Italy adverse effects body mass Body Mass Index Hyperlipidemias