Health information for migrants: The role of educational level in prevention of overweight

Abstract

Modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease include overweight, which is prevented by healthy diet and physical activity. Recently settled migrants may have varying levels of exposure to health information. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to explore the associations between self-reported information on healthy diet and on physical activity and overweight and the possible modification of this association by educational level among recently settled Iraqi migrants in Sweden. Cross-sectional data were collected through a postal questionnaire in Arabic and analysed by means of logistic regression. Dummy variables were created in order to assess the possible modification by educational level on the association between health information and overweight. After adjustments for potential confounders, associations were found between overweight and not having received information on healthy diet (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.07-2.27) and physical exercise (OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.07-2.32). Educational level modified these associations, so that the impact on overweight by information was much more evident among those with a high level of education. The findings showed that overweight was associated to perceived lack of health information among recently settled Iraqi migrants. It may be easier for migrants with high education to seek, receive, and understand health-related information. Migrants with low education may be more traditional in, for example, their diet and therefore less likely to be overweight. Culturally adapted information may therefore not be relevant for them. The broader context of the social determinants of health needs to be considered when planning interventions for migrants.