[The relationship between place of birth and certain health characteristics in Ontario]

The relationship between place of birth and some health characteristics of the population of Ontario was investigated using data from the 1990 Ontario Health Survey. Adult respondents were categorized according to their region, sub-region, and country of birth. Multiple logistic and linear regression analyses indicated that immigrants were less frequently obese than were Canadian-born respondents (odds ratio [OR] = 0.75, confidence interval [CI] 0.63, 0.90), and Asians particularly so (OR = 0.56, CI 0.34, 0.91). Asians also more often had a low body mass index (OR = 3.40, CI 2.11, 5.50). Immigrants less frequently reported a health problem (OR = 0.74, CI 0.62, 0.88) than did respondents born in Canada, but they perceived their health less positively. Place of birth influences some health characteristics of the Ontario population. The differences observed need to be investigated further to develop health services adapted to the needs of the multi-cultural population of Ontario.