Study reveals BMI disparities among immigrants

A recent study led by Distinguished Professor Luisa N. Borrell uncovered significant disparities in body mass index (BMI) among adults in Spain, influenced by factors such as age, gender, immigration status, and education.

Analysis of data from the 2014 and 2020 European Health Interview Surveys alongside the 2017 Spanish National Health Survey highlighted that older individuals, immigrants, and those with lower educational levels tended to have higher BMIs, while women generally had lower averages.

While the majority of BMI inequities could be explained by age, gender, immigration status, and education, there were specific groups where BMI means deviated from the expected values based on these factors. This underscores the necessity for tailored public health interventions, especially for groups like immigrant women, particularly those aged 55–64 with moderate to high levels of education.

Dr. Borrell and her team utilized an intersectional framework and multilevel analyses to delve deeper into how various social identities intersect to impact BMI. The study revealed that age, gender, immigration status, and education accounted for the bulk of BMI differences, with interaction effects playing a role in explaining disparities for certain groups, including immigrant women with BMIs surpassing predicted levels based on these factors.

The findings suggest that universal health strategies may require adjustments to cater to the unique requirements of higher-risk demographic segments.

“The intricate interplay of social determinants in BMI risk underscores the significance of intersectional strategies in designing health policies and interventions,” noted Dr. Borrell. “We urge policymakers to consider these patterns to enhance the effectiveness of obesity prevention and treatment strategies throughout Spain.”

The study has been published in the journal Annals of Epidemiology.