Journal of Travel Medicine
Volume 16, Issue 2, 2009, Pages 88-95

Migration and health in Italy: A multiethnic adult sample (Article) (Open Access)

Gualdi-Russo E.* , Zironi A. , Dallari G.V. , Toselli S.
  • a Department of Biology and Evolution, Ferrara University, Ferrara, Italy, Department of Biology and Evolution, Ferrara University, Corso Ercole I d'Este 32, I-44100 Ferrara, Italy
  • b Department of Biology and Evolution, Ferrara University, Ferrara, Italy
  • c Public Health Service Bologna, Bologna, Italy
  • d Department of Evolutionistic Experimental Biology, Bologna University, Bologna, Italy

Abstract

Background Immigration to Italy has increased drastically, but there is a paucity of data on the health of these immigrant populations and the need to improve their health care. Therefore, we analyzed a multiethnic immigrant population in Bologna (northern Italy) to identify the risk factors for health. This anthropometric study was part of a multiregional project "Health Assistance and Monitoring for Indigent Italian Citizens and Immigrants" funded by the Italian Ministry of Health. Methods The sample consisted of 401 adult immigrants from southeastern Europe (Kosovars, Gypsies, or Roma) and four extra European countries (Senegalese, Moroccans, Tunisians, and Pakistanis). Ethnic ancestry was self-reported. Anthropometric (height, weight, and waist circumference) and blood pressure data were collected during the survey. Results The prevalence of overweight (and obesity) exceeded 50% in Moroccans and Kosovars of both sexes and in male Roma. The ethnic heterogeneity was associated with different patterns of obesity: the highest prevalence of abdominal obesity was in Moroccan and Kosovar women and in male Kosovars and Gypsies. The highest prevalence of hypertension (more than 20%) was in Senegalese, Kosovar, and Gypsy males. Conclusions Some of the immigrant subsamples had a high prevalence of obesity, which is associated with morbidity. Our findings on the relationships between the anthropometric traits and the blood pressure suggest different cardiovascular disease risk profiles in the ethnic groups (higher for Kosovars and Roma) and an urgent need for preventive measures. © 2009 International Society of Travel Medicine.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

information processing Pakistan Body Weights and Measures Europe, Eastern blood pressure Waist Circumference human Self Report middle aged Overweight controlled study obesity health status hypertension Aged Gypsies Young Adult Humans Adolescent male Emigrants and Immigrants female blood storage risk factor Risk Factors prevalence Article major clinical study adult Africa, Northern migration body weight Sex Distribution Italy ethnicity anthropometry body mass body height Body Mass Index citizenship health survey

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-63049083978&doi=10.1111%2fj.1708-8305.2008.00280.x&partnerID=40&md5=4324eb8d681e71a74a76c98b20bd6e78

DOI: 10.1111/j.1708-8305.2008.00280.x
ISSN: 11951982
Cited by: 31
Original Language: English