Comparison between non-immigrant and 2nd generation immigrant youth: Self-Reported Health Status, BMI, and Internal and External Resources

Abstract

Increasingly evidence suggests that the self-reported health status (SRH) of 2nd generation immigrant youth (native-born youth with at least one parent who was born abroad) may be lower than non-immigrant youth. This cross-sectional study compared the SRH of 2nd generation immigrant to non-immigrant youth ( n = 291), accounting for confounders including a clinical measure (i.e., body mass index), internal resources (i.e., diet, exercise, smoking), and external resources (i.e., socioeconomic status, family social support). Regressions showed SRH was associated with socioeconomic status ( p < .05), family social support ( p < .05) and exercise ( p < .05) but not immigrant status. Yet, bivariate analyses, showed that among youth, 2nd generation immigrants had poorer diets ( p < .01), were smokers ( p < .0001), had lower socioeconomic status ( p < .05) and less family social support (p < .05). Thus, although SRH did not differ by immigration status among youth, the differences in internal and external resources by immigrant status may lead to health differences in the future.