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 (ξ2 = 23.35; df = 6; p = 0.001). Female immigrants participated less often in sports clubs than female non-immigrants did (ξ2 = 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 (ξ2 = 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.
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