Weight status, fatness and body image perception of North African immigrant women in Italy

Datos Bibliográficos

ID15092002
AutoresEmanuela Gualdi-Russo (0000-0002-7274-547X, University of Ferrara), Natascia Rinaldo (0000-0002-6972-3085, University of Ferrara, autor de correspondencia), Meriem Khyatti (0000-0001-9376-4322, Institut Pasteur du Maroc), Chérifa Lakhoua (University of Carthage), Stefania Toselli (0000-0001-5478-2499, University of Bologna)
Año2016
Volumen19
Número15
Páginas2743-2751
Fecha de publicación2016-10-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaPublic Health Nutrition (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1368-9800 • E-ISSN: 1475-2727
EditorialCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s1368980016000872
PMID27122229
OpenAlexW2344515532
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas10
Referencias citadas37

Objective To investigate the nutritional status of North African (NA) immigrant women in Italy, analysing their body size, adiposity and body image perception in comparison to Italian natives and NA residents. Design The study utilized a cross-sectional design. Anthropometric traits were directly measured and a few indices were computed as proxy measures of nutritional status and adiposity. Body image perception was assessed using silhouette drawings. ANCOVA, adjusted for age, was used to compare anthropometric traits among different groups of women and the χ 2 test to analyse differences in the prevalence of nutritional status. Setting Italy and North Africa (Tunisia, Morocco). Subjects A sample of 433 women aged 18–60 years old: NA immigrants ( n 105); Italians ( n 100); Tunisians ( n 104); Moroccans ( n 124). Results Overweight/obesity prevalence was very high in immigrants (79·8 %). Immigrants had the highest BMI value, the greatest hip circumference and mid upper-arm circumference. Their triceps skinfold thickness was significantly higher than that of Italians, but lower than that of NA residents. Conclusions NA immigrant women in Italy showed a higher incidence of overweight compared with Italians and NA residents. All groups showed a preference for a thinner body in comparison to their actual bodies and the immigrants are the most dissatisfied. Immigrants remain a high-risk group for obesity. Assessment of their body composition and health risk profile should be improved by using specific anthropometric measures that are easy to collect even in the case of large migration flows

Anthropometry · Body mass index · Circumference · Geography · Immigration · Incidence (geometry · Obesity · Overweight · Demography · Medicine · Nutritional Studies and Diet · Obesity and Health Practices · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Gerontology · Internal Medicine