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Health-Related Lifestyle Behavior and Religiosity among First-Generation Immigrants of Polish Origin in Germany
[journal article]
Abstract Background: Health-related lifestyle behaviors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity and obesity are major cardiovascular risk factors. Previous studies have mostly demonstrated a favorable association between religiosity and these cardiovascular risk factors; however, no studies... view more
Background: Health-related lifestyle behaviors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity and obesity are major cardiovascular risk factors. Previous studies have mostly demonstrated a favorable association between religiosity and these cardiovascular risk factors; however, no studies have investigated this relationship in Polish immigrants. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the association between health-related lifestyle behaviors and religiosity in Polish immigrants in Germany. Methods: The smoking patterns, frequency of alcohol consumption, physical activity, and presence of overweight/obesity were assessed in 257 first-generation immigrants of Polish origin living in Germany. Religiosity was measured with the Centrality of Religiosity Scale (CRS, Huber, 2003) consisting of 15 items that categorized the respondents into intrinsically, extrinsically, and not/marginally religious. Results: After adjusting for various sociodemographic, migration, and health-related characteristics, intrinsic religiosity was significantly associated with a low-er risk of being a smoker (odds ratios (OR) = 0.34, confidence intervals (CI) = 0.15–0.76) and was also associated with a lower risk of alcohol consumption (OR = 0.33, CI = 0.15-0.71), but a higher risk of being overweight/obese (OR = 2.53, CI = 1.15-5.56) in comparison with extrinsic/marginal religiosity. No significant relationship was found between religiosity and physical activity. Conclusions: In Polish immigrants, intrinsic religiosity acts as a protective factor against some cardiovascular risk factors (smoking and alcohol consumption).... view less
Keywords
adipositas; behavior; migrant; life style; Pole; religiousness; Federal Republic of Germany; overweight; smoking; alcohol consumption; immigration; physical exercise
Classification
Migration, Sociology of Migration
Sociology of Religion
Medicine, Social Medicine
Document language
English
Publication Year
2018
Page/Pages
p. 1-17
Journal
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15 (2018) 11
Issue topic
Refugee, Migrant and Ethnic Minority Health
ISSN
1660-4601
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed