[Somatophysiologycal and nutritional characterization of teen immigrants in Spain. Variation by gender and origin]

Arch Latinoam Nutr. 2011 Dec;61(4):367-75.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

The 13 and 14 years of human life cycle are very sensitive to environment, so that migration and changes in living conditions related may influence further. The aim of this study is to characterize the nutritional and somatic status of the immigrant adolescent population of Madrid with the objectivity of bioanthropometric assessment. 519 adolescent students not born in Spain were evaluated. The sample was taken in the public schools of the Community of Madrid and conducted the following groups: Spanish control sample (38.9%), Latin America (50.9%), Magreb (4.5%), Asia (3.8%) and Eastern Europe (1.9%). The situation is Normal weight for the total sample, except in boys of Eastern Europe (Overweight). The pattern reflected a daily dietary intake of 3.73 +/- 0.91, being the dinner the most represented food. The diet quality as measured by KidMed showed that 10.2% followed a low quality diet, 58.6% have a better diet and 31.2% optimal. Higher scores were found in the Magreb group and lowest in Asia. In all groups showed a trend towards increased consumption of fruit and vegetables in Spain.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Emigrants and Immigrants / statistics & numerical data*
  • Energy Intake*
  • Feeding Behavior / ethnology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nutrition Surveys*
  • Pilot Projects
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Spain