The migration rate is rising in Germany. One in three children under 10 years has an immigrant background. Health inequalities and health risks are unevenly distributed in the migrant population, as is the obesity rate in children and adolescents. Girls and boys with a Turkish background, girls from Central and Southern Europe and boys from Poland have a higher likeliness to be overweight or obese than German children and adolescents. Many factors play a role in this. In the Obesity Outpatient Clinic of the Center for Social Pediatrics of the Charité - Universitaetsmedizin Berlin, approximately 450 patients per quarter receive treatment, about half of them have a migration background. Children and adolescents with a migration background are much less likely to take part in preventive medical examinations compared to those without a migration background. As a result, this opportunity to intervene, in the onset of obesity, is wasted. Dietary habits among migrants are typically an expression of cultural identity. The addition of sugary drinks, sweets, and snacks can result in obesity, despite healthy aspects of traditional fare. Also, the exercise behavior is often influenced by cultural and religious views. However, cultural factors should not be used as the sole explanation for other health behaviors. Transcultural competency helps to see the patient as an individual not to be reduced to their culture. Language barriers add to the difficulties in the treatment of families. To consult the children and adolescents for translation is unacceptable. The assignment of language and cultural mediators is thus essential, however, no policies for financing are yet in place.

Obesity in childhood and adolescence Migrants Transcultural competency

obesity Germany exercise health hazard medical examination Article health disparity human migration