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Immigrants’ acculturation and changes in Body Mass Index

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  • Iversen, Tor
  • Ma, Ching-to Albert
  • Meyer, Haakon E.

Abstract

We study Body Mass Index (BMI) changes among immigrants from Iran, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Turkey, and Vietnam relative to native Norwegians in Oslo. We assess the effect of acculturation on BMI changes. We hypothesize that acculturation reduces the gap of BMIs between natives and immigrants. Acculturation is measured by immigrants’ language skills. Our data come from two surveys in Oslo 2000–2002. Weights and heights were measured at the surveys; participants were asked to recall weights when they were 25 years old. Norwegian language skills and socio-economic data were collected. Our findings support our hypothesis. Acculturation, as measured by proficiency in the Norwegian language, has the predicted effects on BMI changes. We do not find any effect of immigrants’ time of residency on BMI changes.

Suggested Citation

  • Iversen, Tor & Ma, Ching-to Albert & Meyer, Haakon E., 2013. "Immigrants’ acculturation and changes in Body Mass Index," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 11(1), pages 1-7.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ehbiol:v:11:y:2013:i:1:p:1-7
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ehb.2012.02.003
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    1. Iversen, Tor & Ma, Albert & Meyer, Haakon E., 2010. "Immigrants`s acculturation and chanes in body mass index," HERO Online Working Paper Series 2010:3, University of Oslo, Health Economics Research Programme.
    2. McDonald, James Ted & Kennedy, Steven, 2005. "Is migration to Canada associated with unhealthy weight gain? Overweight and obesity among Canada's immigrants," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 61(12), pages 2469-2481, December.
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    1. Jonas Kinge & Tom Kornstad, 2014. "Assimilation effects on infant mortality among immigrants in Norway: Does maternal source country matter?," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 31(26), pages 779-812.

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