Lifestyle behaviours of immigrant and Australian children: Evidence from a nationally representative sample

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the prevalence of physical activity (PA), screen time (ST), sleep, and fruit and vegetable intake of children with low-and-middle-income countries (LMIC) parents, high-income countries (HIC), and Australian children, and whether these behaviours are associated with their immigrant status. Data for this study were from wave 7 of the Birth cohort (B cohort) of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children. We used generalized estimating equations (GEE) to examine associations between health behaviours and immigrant status. The models were adjusted for a number of covariates. Children with LMIC parents had lower odds of meeting PA and sleep recommendations and higher odds ratio (OR) of meeting fruit and vegetable intake, and ST recommendations than Australian or HIC children. Children with LMIC parents had one-third the odds of meeting the PA recommendations (OR 0.39 [95%CI 0.22–0.70]) than Australian children. No significant differences were observed in lifestyle behaviours among children with HIC parents and Australian children. Lifestyle behaviours of children with LMIC parents differed from those of HIC and Australian children. However, children with HIC parents and Australian children had comparable lifestyle behaviours. Identified disparities in lifestyle behaviours among immigrant children can inform strategies to bring equity in Australian children's lifestyles. Our study underscores the importance of culturally appropriate targeted interventions to promote PA and sleep of children with LMIC parents.