European Journal of Public Health
Volume 24, Issue SUPPL.1, 2014, Pages 40-46

Obesity and physical activity in children of immigrants (Review) (Open Access)

Gualdi-Russo E. , Zaccagni L.* , Manzon V.S. , Masotti S. , Rinaldo N. , Khyatti M.
  • a Department of Biomedical and Specialty Surgical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Corso Ercole I d'Este 32, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
  • b Department of Biomedical and Specialty Surgical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Corso Ercole I d'Este 32, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
  • c Department of Biomedical and Specialty Surgical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Corso Ercole I d'Este 32, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
  • d Department of Biomedical and Specialty Surgical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Corso Ercole I d'Este 32, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
  • e Department of Biomedical and Specialty Surgical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Corso Ercole I d'Este 32, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
  • f Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Casablanca, Morocco

Abstract

Childhood overweight and obesity have increased in recent decades, reaching alarming proportions. Children with a migrant background seem to be particularly at risk of developing overweight and obesity. This article provides an overview of the prevalence of overweight or obesity among North African (NA) children living in their own countries or as immigrants in Europe. The aim is to show the effect of the migration process on this trend and to discuss its possible contributing factors. Publications were identified by a systematic search of PubMed and the existing literature. Original longitudinal or cross-sectional studies on the prevalence of childhood and adolescent overweight and obesity and of physical activity among ethnic groups from North Africa compared with the native population were reviewed. The results confirmed that children of NA origin in Europe have higher levels of overweight and obesity than the native ones, especially girls. However, this trend can also be detected in urban areas of NA countries. Important factors contributing to the increase of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents are discussed, in particular the westernization of eating habits, the level of physical activity and body image perception. The review shows that factors linked to acculturation in the host society and others maintained from the country of origin come into play in determining childhood overweight and obesity among NA immigrants in Europe. The importance of health promotion targeting the groups most at risk of childhood overweight and obesity, i.e. aspects of a healthy diet and the benefits of physical activity, is underlined. © 2014 The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Public Health Association. All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

longitudinal study Europe human Longitudinal Studies Ethnic Groups statistics and numerical data ethnic group obesity ethnology Cross-Sectional Studies Young Adult cross-sectional study migrant Humans Adolescent Infant, Newborn male Emigrants and Immigrants Acculturation preschool child Infant risk factor Risk Factors Child, Preschool Africa newborn female cultural factor prevalence adult Africa, Northern migration Motor Activity Emigration and Immigration body mass Body Mass Index Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84906214395&doi=10.1093%2feurpub%2fcku111&partnerID=40&md5=b76e23a460a852f6dba9b6f70ae97903
DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/cku111
ISSN: 11011262
Cited by: 26
Original Language: English