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Pre- and Post-displacement Stressors and Body Weight Development in Iraqi Refugees in Michigan

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Abstract

Refugees have typically experienced stress and trauma before entering the US. Stressors and mental health disorders may contribute to obesity. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in the body mass index (BMI) in Iraqi refugees settled in Michigan in relationship to pre- and post-migration stressors and mental health. Anthropometric and demographic data were collected from 290 Iraqi refugees immediately after they arrived in Michigan and one year after settlement. Significant increases were observed in BMI (+0.46 ± 0.09 kg/m2, p < 0.0001) and the percentage of refugees suffering from hypertension (from 9.6 to 13.1 %, p < 0.05). Significant increases in stress, depression and acculturation, as well as decreases in post-migration trauma and social support, were also observed. Linear regression analyses failed to link stressors, well-being, and mental health to changes in BMI. It is likely that acculturation to a new lifestyle, including dietary patterns and physical activity levels, may have contributed to these changes.

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Acknowledgments

The study was supported by a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH, award number R01MH085793). Drs. Arnetz and Jamil are also partially supported by a grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (P30ES020957). The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of NIMH.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nutrition and Food Science, 3009 Science Hall, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48202, USA

    K.-L. Catherine Jen & Kequan Zhou

  2. Division of Occupational and Environmental Health, Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, 48201, USA

    Bengt Arnetz & Hikmet Jamil

  3. Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden

    Bengt Arnetz

Authors
  1. K.-L. Catherine Jen
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  2. Kequan Zhou
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  3. Bengt Arnetz
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  4. Hikmet Jamil
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Correspondence to K.-L. Catherine Jen.

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Jen, KL.C., Zhou, K., Arnetz, B. et al. Pre- and Post-displacement Stressors and Body Weight Development in Iraqi Refugees in Michigan. J Immigrant Minority Health 17, 1468–1475 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-014-0127-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-014-0127-3

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