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Published on: March 7, 2019
Is acculturation associated with physical activity among female immigrants in Sweden?
Lena S Jönsson1, Karolina Palmér, Henrik Ohlsson
1Center for Primary Health Care Research, Department of Clinical Science, Lund University, Malmö SE-205 02, Sweden. lena_s.jonsson@med.lu.se
Background:
Immigrant women in Sweden have lower levels of leisure time physical activity (LTPA) than Swedish-born women. The reasons are unclear, although acculturation has been suggested to play a role.
Methods:
We used a cross-sectional study design to investigate the association between LTPA and two indicators of acculturation: (i) language proficiency (ability to understand news reports on the radio and television) and (ii) age at the time of migration, and if there existed a modifying effect on these hypothesized associations. The study sample consisted of 1651 women, aged 18-65, living in Sweden and born in Finland, Chile or Iraq. A postal questionnaire (translated into the women's native language) was used to collect the variables. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess LTPA. Data were collected in 2002-05 and analyzed in 2009-10. A partial-proportional odds model was used for the analysis.
Results:
Increased language proficiency was associated with increased LTPA [odds ratio (OR) = 2.31, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.57-3.41]. Country of birth modified the association. Furthermore, younger age at migration was associated with increased LTPA (OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.01-2.03).
Conclusions:
Increased language proficiency has the potential to be an important health-promoting factor among immigrant women.
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