Obesity in International Migrant Populations

Abstract

Purpose of ReviewThis review examines the risk of obesity in migrant groups—specifically migrants from countries with lower prevalence of obesity to countries with higher prevalence of obesity. We examine obesity prevalence within migrant groups compared with native populations and the evidence on factors that might shape obesity risk in these migrant groups.Recent FindingsMigrants may arrive in new countries with a health advantage including generally a healthier body weight. Genetic and epi-genetic factors, as well as body size preference, socio-economic factors, and stress exposure, may play a role in increasing unhealthy weight gain in migrant populations. This unhealthy weight gain leads to similar or greater obesity risk in migrant populations compared with native populations 10–15 years after migration.SummaryMeeting the challenge of prevention and treatment of obesity in diverse populations will require greater attention to minority groups in research in the future.

Hyperuricaemia and its association with 10‐year risk of cardiovascular disease among migrant and non‐migrant African populations: the RODAM study

“…This observation corroborates with our hypothesis that differences in sUA levels would be a cumulative result of dietary patterns, BMI, kidney function and use of certain medications. Previous studies have shown that total energy intake, obesity and use of medications were higher in migrants than non‐migrants, while chronic kidney disease and high physical activity levels were more prevalent in rural residents than urban residents and migrants . In our study, we similarly observed higher levels of total energy intake, obesity and use of certain medications in migrants, while reduced eGFR and physical activity were highly prevalent in rural residents.…”

Built Environment and Childhood Weight Status: A Multi-Level Study Using Population-Based Data in the City of Hannover, Germany

“…The prevalence of overweight among girls was slightly higher than among boys (10.0% compared to 9.5%), while children with a migration background had a higher overweight risk (13.2% compared to 6.4%). These differences are consistent with previous studies [3,29] and may be due to genetic factors as well as cultural habits. Further studies should consider how the built environment-overweight association may vary by sex and race/ethnicity [15].…”

“…First, the proportion of residents with migration background of the area was considered. Different culture, genetic and physiological factors, and ethnic difference might boost up unhealthy weight gain [29]. At a macroscale, migrants tend to be geographically concentrated which provide a supportive environment for the retention of traditional diets and lifestyles [30], meaning that an area with a higher proportion of migrants might provide a different obesogenic environment.…”

Food Insecurity and Major Diet-Related Morbidities in Migrating Children: A Systematic Review

“…Interestingly, a convergence of migrant health levels to native health ones within approximately 10-20 years has been reported. [73] Moreover, we should consider that BMI is frequently low at the arrival, mostly because in the countries of origin there is not food over-consumption and, in particular, low consumption of fatty, sugary and processed food, that is instead high in the destination countries (although it is true that obesity is increasing worldwide and it is high in some middle-income countries such as Mexico) [74]. The increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity over time in the host country among migrant children might be due to acquired environmental risk factors (i.e., western-diet, availability of low-cost high-sugar and high-caloric snacks and a sedentary lifestyle) combined with those from the country of origin (i.e., restricting physical activity [49,51], and cultural preferences for large body size as a proxy for wealth, health, or beauty) [75,76].…”