Childhood overweight and obesity, especially among migrant children, are current health problems in several European countries. In the present study the prevalence of overweight and obesity among migrant children from Turkey and the former Yugoslavia was documented and compared with that of Austrian children in Vienna. Anthropometric data from 1786 children were collected at the ages of 6, 10 and 15 years. Body mass was estimated by means of the body mass index and percentile curves were used to determine weight status. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was found to be significantly higher among migrant children. Children and adolescents from the former Yugoslavia and Turkish girls exhibited especially high rates of overweight and obesity. Biosocial and cultural factors are discussed as causes of these observations. © 2005 Cambridge University Press.

[No Keywords available]

immigrant adolescent disease human Ethnic Groups controlled study Turkey (republic) obesity Yugoslavia Austria Humans Adolescent male female risk factor Risk Factors observational study cultural factor prevalence Article body weight Turkey childhood disease Emigration and Immigration anthropometry body mass Body Mass Index Child