Fat, Lazy, and Hooked on Nicotine

[Ivo Skoric]

That's us. Just read data on obesity, physical activity, and smoking 
among recent refugees.

Health risk and promotion behaviors in refugee populations
Barnes DM, Harrison C, Heneghan R
JOURNAL OF HEALTH CARE FOR THE POOR AND UNDERSERVED
15 (3): 347-356 AUG 2004

Abstract:
Refugees resettling in the U.S. are generally low-income and
underserved by health promotion interventions. To begin to address
refugee health promotion issues, this study describes health 
behaviors of newly arrived (less than 90 days) adult refugees in the 
U.S. The methods used were retrospective description of clients from 
one refugee health screening program. The sample consisted of adult
refugees (n=591), men and women, from Cuba, Bosnia, Vietnam, Kosovo,
Iran, Iraq, and other countries. Rates of overweight were highest
among Bosnians and lowest among Vietnamese. Cubans reported the most
physical activity and Kosovars the least. Rates of smoking were
highest among Bosnians and lowest among Cubans. Older refugees were
more overweight and reported less physical activity and more smoking
than younger adults. In some cases, different refugee groups have
similar health promotion needs, while in others needs differ. This
baseline descriptive data supports calls for further hea!th promotion 
research and interventions in refugee populations.

Addresses:
Barnes DM, Texas Christian Univ, Harris Sch Nursing, Ft Worth, TX
76129 USA Texas Christian Univ, Harris Sch Nursing, Ft Worth, TX 
76129 USA St Davids Med Ctr, Austin, TX USA Univ Texas, Sch Nursing, 
Austin, TX 78712 USA


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Ivo Skoric
19 Baxter Street
Rutland VT 05701
802.775.7257
ivo at balkansnet.org
balkansnet.org