Affiliations: Zentrum für Seelische Gesundheit, Klinik
für Psychiatrie, Sozialpsychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Medizinische
Hochschule Hannover
Note: [] Korrespondenzadresse: Dr. med. Marcel Sieberer, Klinik für
Psychiatrie, Sozialpsychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Medizinische Hochschule
Hannover, Carl-Neuberg-Straße 1, D-30625 Hannover.
[email protected]
Abstract: Objectives: Previous studies have indicated a possible correlation
of acculturation and physical inactivity with increased health risks among
immigrants. This study on multiethnic employed individuals investigates whether
immigration background, indicators of acculturation and the degree of physical
activity are correlated. Methods: For this cross-sectional study, all employees of a
university hospital received a questionnaire concerning social-demographic
variables, immigration background, evidence of acculturation and daily physical
activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire) as well as
participation in organised sport. Statistical evaluation was carried out on
age-adjusted data by means of c2-test and logistic regression. Results: The overall answer rate was 41.7%. Complete data were
available for 2796 subjects. 14.9% (n = 418) reported an immigration background
– being immigrants of the first (n = 275) or of the second (n = 143)
generation. No difference in the degree of physical activity was found between
immigrants of the first or second generation and non-immigrants. There was,
however, a significant correlation between language skills and physical
activity (ξ^{2} = 23.35; df = 6; p = 0.001). Female immigrants participated less
often in sports clubs than female non-immigrants did (ξ^{2} = 32.18; df = 2; p
< 0.001). Furthermore, among female immigrants, the criterion
"close attachment to the native culture" correlated
with fewer activities in a sports club (ξ^{2} = 4.52; df = 1; p = 0.027). Conclusion: These results suggest a possible connection between
acculturation and physical activity, partly related to gender specific
differences. These acculturation and gender aspects should be taken into
consideration among measures pertaining to immigrants' health
prevention and social integration.
Keywords: Physical activity, immigrant, acculturation, gender, language skills
