BMC Public Health
Volume 14, Issue 1, 2014

Physical activity differences between children from migrant and native origin (Article) (Open Access)

Labree W.* , Lötters F. , Van De Mheen D. , Rutten F. , Rivera Chavarría A. , Neve M. , Rodenburg G. , Machielsen H. , Koopmans G. , Foets M.
  • a Institute of Health Policy and Management, Erasmus University, P.O. Box 1738, DR, Rotterdam, 3000, Netherlands
  • b Institute of Health Policy and Management, Erasmus University, P.O. Box 1738, DR, Rotterdam, 3000, Netherlands
  • c IVO Addiction Research Institute, Heemraadssingel 194, DM, Rotterdam, 3021, Netherlands, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, P.O. Box 2040, CA, Rotterdam, 3000, Netherlands, Department of Health Promotion, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, MD, Maastricht, 6200, Netherlands
  • d Institute of Health Policy and Management, Erasmus University, P.O. Box 1738, DR, Rotterdam, 3000, Netherlands
  • e Institute of Health Policy and Management, Erasmus University, P.O. Box 1738, DR, Rotterdam, 3000, Netherlands
  • f Institute of Health Policy and Management, Erasmus University, P.O. Box 1738, DR, Rotterdam, 3000, Netherlands
  • g IVO Addiction Research Institute, Heemraadssingel 194, DM, Rotterdam, 3021, Netherlands, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, P.O. Box 2040, CA, Rotterdam, 3000, Netherlands
  • h Institute of Health Policy and Management, Erasmus University, P.O. Box 1738, DR, Rotterdam, 3000, Netherlands
  • i Institute of Health Policy and Management, Erasmus University, P.O. Box 1738, DR, Rotterdam, 3000, Netherlands
  • j Institute of Health Policy and Management, Erasmus University, P.O. Box 1738, DR, Rotterdam, 3000, Netherlands

Abstract

Background: Children from migrant origin are at higher risk for overweight and obesity. As limited physical activity is a key factor in this overweight and obesity risk, in general, the aim of this study is to assess to what degree children from migrant and native Dutch origin differ with regard to levels of physical activity and to determine which home environment aspects contribute to these differences. Methods. A cross-sectional survey among primary caregivers of primary school children at the age of 8-9 years old (n = 1943) from 101 primary schools in two urban areas in The Netherlands. We used bivariate correlation and multivariate regression techniques to examine the relationship between physical and social environment aspects and the child's level of physical activity. All outcomes were reported by primary caregivers. Outcome measure was the physical activity level of the child. Main independent variables were migrant background, based on country of birth of the parents, and variables in the physical and social home environment which may enhance or restrict physical activity: the availability and the accessibility of toys and equipment, as well as sport club membership (physical environment), and both parental role modeling, and supportive parental policies (social environment). We controlled for age and sex of the child, and for socio-economic status, as indicated by educational level of the parents. Results: In this sample, physical activity levels were significantly lower in migrant children, as compared to children in the native population. Less physical activity was most often seen in Turkish, Moroccan, and other non-western children (p <.05). Conclusions: Although traditional home characteristics in both the physical, and the social environment are often associated with child's physical activity, these characteristics provided only modest explanation of the differences in physical activity between migrant and non-migrant children in this study. The question arises whether interventions aimed at overweight and obesity should have to focus on home environmental characteristics with regard to physical activity. © 2014 Labree et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Author Keywords

Transients and migrants The Netherlands physical activity Parenting Child health

Index Keywords

Netherlands human Schools Ethnic Groups statistics and numerical data ethnic group ethnology Cross-Sectional Studies cross-sectional study Humans male female questionnaire Parenting school Questionnaires adult migration Turkey Motor Activity Transients and Migrants social class Pediatric Obesity child parent relation Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84906930751&doi=10.1186%2f1471-2458-14-819&partnerID=40&md5=b25b6589a1199172311c2c827066325a
DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-14-819
ISSN: 14712458
Cited by: 9
Original Language: English