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Assessing Quality of Life in First- and Second-Generation Immigrant Children and Adolescents; Highlights from the DIATROFI Food Aid and Healthy Nutrition Promotion Program

Author

Listed:
  • Dimitrios V. Diamantis

    (Institute of Preventive Medicine Environmental and Occupational Health Prolepsis, 15121 Athens, Greece)

  • Iliana Stavropoulou

    (Institute of Preventive Medicine Environmental and Occupational Health Prolepsis, 15121 Athens, Greece)

  • Konstantinos Katsas

    (Institute of Preventive Medicine Environmental and Occupational Health Prolepsis, 15121 Athens, Greece
    Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece)

  • Lyndsey Mugford

    (Department of History of Science, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Harvard College, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA)

  • Athena Linos

    (Institute of Preventive Medicine Environmental and Occupational Health Prolepsis, 15121 Athens, Greece)

  • Matina Kouvari

    (Institute of Preventive Medicine Environmental and Occupational Health Prolepsis, 15121 Athens, Greece
    Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University, 17676 Athens, Greece
    Discipline of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
    Functional Foods and Nutrition Research (FFNR) Laboratory, University of Canberra, Bruce, ACT 2617, Australia)

Abstract

To compare first- and second-immigrant pediatric populations with a non-immigrant pediatric population in terms of quality-of-life metrics, a cross-sectional analysis using data from the DIATROFI Program was implemented. In total, n = 2277 students (mean age: 9(4) years) from public schools in Greece participating in the 2020–2021 school year were analyzed. The students’ immigration status (first-generation/second-generation) was defined as per the standard definition. The students’ health related-quality of life (HRQoL) was assessed using a parental-perceived quality of life questionnaire. The sample included 4.8% first-generation and 21.2% second-generation immigrant students. Compared with non-immigrants, the first-generation immigrant students were more likely to have poor HRQoL (odds ratio (OR) = 2.82; 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 11.75, 4.53), physical (OR = 1.91; 95%CI = 1.18, 3.10), social (OR = 1.94; 95%CI = 1.16, 3.22) and school function (OR = 2.52; 95%CI = 1.54, 4.13). Similar results were observed for second-generation immigrant students regarding HRQoL (OR = 1.68; 95%CI = 1.28, 2.21), physical (OR = 1.60; 95%CI = 1.23, 2.10) and school function (OR = 2.09; 95%CI = 1.58, 2.77). Children with one parent having a country of origin different that the country of residence had elevated odds of having poor emotional health (OR = 1.19; 95%CI = 0.87, 1.64). The family’s affluency level was interrelated with the connection of poor HRQoL and immigration status. The immigrant students have a poorer quality of life depending on their immigration generation and irrespective of their socioeconomic background.

Suggested Citation

  • Dimitrios V. Diamantis & Iliana Stavropoulou & Konstantinos Katsas & Lyndsey Mugford & Athena Linos & Matina Kouvari, 2023. "Assessing Quality of Life in First- and Second-Generation Immigrant Children and Adolescents; Highlights from the DIATROFI Food Aid and Healthy Nutrition Promotion Program," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-14, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:3:p:2471-:d:1051849
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zélia Muggli & Thierry Mertens & Silva -Sá & Regina Amado & Ana L. Teixeira & Dora Vaz & Maria Rosário O. Martins, 2021. "Migration as a Determinant in the Development of Children Emotional and Behavior Problems: A Quantitative Study for Lisbon Region, Portugal," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-14, January.
    2. Reima Mansour & Pranee Liamputtong & Amit Arora, 2020. "Prevalence, Determinants, and Effects of Food Insecurity among Middle Eastern and North African Migrants and Refugees in High-Income Countries: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-19, October.
    3. William Boyce & Torbjorn Torsheim & Candace Currie & Alessio Zambon, 2006. "The Family Affluence Scale as a Measure of National Wealth: Validation of an Adolescent Self-Report Measure," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 78(3), pages 473-487, September.
    4. Zhen Liu & Michael J. White, 2017. "Education Outcomes of Immigrant Youth: The Role of Parental Engagement," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 674(1), pages 27-58, November.
    5. Shea Q. Foo & Wilson W. Tam & Cyrus S. Ho & Bach X. Tran & Long H. Nguyen & Roger S. McIntyre & Roger C. Ho, 2018. "Prevalence of Depression among Migrants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-14, September.
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