Journal of Public Health (Germany)
Volume 22, Issue 5, 2014, Pages 415-421

Overweight and obesity in primary school: native children versus migrant children (Article)

Labree L.J.W.W.* , van de Mheen H.D. , Rutten F.F.H.F. , Rodenburg G.G. , Koopmans G.T.G. , Foets M.M.
  • a Institute of Health Policy and Management, Erasmus University, P.O. Box 1738, Rotterdam, 3000 DR, Netherlands
  • b IVO Addiction Research Institute, Heemraadssingel 194, Rotterdam, 3021 DM, Netherlands, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, P.O. Box 2040, Rotterdam, 3000 CA, Netherlands, Department of Health Promotion, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, Maastricht, 6200 MD, Netherlands
  • c Institute of Health Policy and Management, Erasmus University, P.O. Box 1738, Rotterdam, 3000 DR, Netherlands
  • d IVO Addiction Research Institute, Heemraadssingel 194, Rotterdam, 3021 DM, Netherlands, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, P.O. Box 2040, Rotterdam, 3000 CA, Netherlands
  • e Institute of Health Policy and Management, Erasmus University, P.O. Box 1738, Rotterdam, 3000 DR, Netherlands
  • f Institute of Health Policy and Management, Erasmus University, P.O. Box 1738, Rotterdam, 3000 DR, Netherlands

Abstract

Aim: To compare the means of body mass index (BMI) and the prevalences of overweight and obesity between native Dutch and migrant primary school children and to assess to what degree differences between these children could be explained by socioeconomic position and BMI of the mother and the father. Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional survey was performed among children at the age of 8–9 years old. Subjects were a total of 1,943 children and their primary caregiver. Outcome measures were BMIs and the prevalence of overweight, including obesity. Main independent variables were migrant background, based on country of birth of the parents, socioeconomic status, as indicated by educational level, and parental BMI. Other independent variables were the age and sex of the child. Results: Overall, our findings show that overweight and obesity are significantly more prevalent among migrant children of non-Western descent as compared to native children and children of Western descent. Conclusion: Parental BMI is an important predictor of a child’s BMI. However, socioeconomic position is not. Because children of non-Western migrant origin are at higher risk for overweight and obesity, insight into differences in both physical activity and energy intake as well as how these behaviors relate to cultural contrasts in parental beliefs and practices is needed. © 2014, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

Author Keywords

Transients and migrants Obesity Social class The Netherlands overweight Child health

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84939876662&doi=10.1007%2fs10389-014-0637-4&partnerID=40&md5=a69f75f56f025ff51e7c0cdc711118e5
DOI: 10.1007/s10389-014-0637-4
ISSN: 09431853
Cited by: 3
Original Language: English