Skip to main content
Top
Published in: International Journal of Public Health 3/2018

Open Access 01-04-2018 | Original Article

Lifestyle differences between older migrants and non-migrants in 14 European countries using propensity score matching method

Authors: Jelena Arsenijevic, Wim Groot

Published in: International Journal of Public Health | Issue 3/2018

Login to get access

Abstract

Objectives

We examine the differences in lifestyle between four groups of migrants—first generation of older migrants originating from one of the EU countries, Africa or the Middle East and second-generation older EU migrants—with non-migrants in their country of destination.

Methods

We use wave 5 of the SHARE data. To control for differences in socio-demographic characteristics, cultural factors and duration of stay in country of destination between migrants and non-migrants, we use propensity matching score analysis.

Results

Older migrants from Southern European countries are more likely to smoke than non-migrants in their country of origin. Older migrants originating from Africa and the Middle East are more likely to smoke than non-migrants in their country of destination. Some groups of second-generation older migrants are more likely to consume alcohol and to have lower levels of physical activity than non-migrants in their country of destination.

Conclusions

Our results show that differences in lifestyle between migrants and non-migrants exist, but they are not solely related to their migrant status. Cultural and socio-demographic characteristics also play a role.
Literature
go back to reference Abma TA, Heijsman A (2013) Crossing cultures: health promotion for senior migrants in the Netherlands. Health Promot Int 30(3):460–472 CrossRefPubMed Abma TA, Heijsman A (2013) Crossing cultures: health promotion for senior migrants in the Netherlands. Health Promot Int 30(3):460–472 CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Abramitzky R, Boustan LP, Eriksson K (2013) Have the poor always been less likely to migrate? Evidence from inheritance practices during the age of mass migration. J Dev Econ 102:2–14CrossRefPubMed Abramitzky R, Boustan LP, Eriksson K (2013) Have the poor always been less likely to migrate? Evidence from inheritance practices during the age of mass migration. J Dev Econ 102:2–14CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Alegría M, Sribney W, Woo M, Torres M, Guarnaccia P (2007) Looking beyond nativity: the relation of age of immigration, length of residence, and birth cohorts to the risk of onset of psychiatric disorders for Latinos. Res Hum Dev 4:19–47CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Alegría M, Sribney W, Woo M, Torres M, Guarnaccia P (2007) Looking beyond nativity: the relation of age of immigration, length of residence, and birth cohorts to the risk of onset of psychiatric disorders for Latinos. Res Hum Dev 4:19–47CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
go back to reference Alves L, Azevedo A, Barros H, Paccaud F, Marques-Vidal P (2013) Portuguese migrants in Switzerland: healthcare and health status compared to Portuguese residents. PLoS One 8:e77066CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Alves L, Azevedo A, Barros H, Paccaud F, Marques-Vidal P (2013) Portuguese migrants in Switzerland: healthcare and health status compared to Portuguese residents. PLoS One 8:e77066CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
go back to reference Alves L, Azevedo A, Barros H, Vollenweider P, Waeber G, Marques-Vidal P (2015) Prevalence and management of cardiovascular risk factors in Portuguese living in Portugal and Portuguese who migrated to Switzerland. BMC Public Health 15:307CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Alves L, Azevedo A, Barros H, Vollenweider P, Waeber G, Marques-Vidal P (2015) Prevalence and management of cardiovascular risk factors in Portuguese living in Portugal and Portuguese who migrated to Switzerland. BMC Public Health 15:307CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
go back to reference Austin PC (2011) An introduction to propensity score methods for reducing the effects of confounding in observational studies. Multivar Behav Res 46:399–424CrossRef Austin PC (2011) An introduction to propensity score methods for reducing the effects of confounding in observational studies. Multivar Behav Res 46:399–424CrossRef
go back to reference Borjas GJ, Kauppinen I, Poutvaara P (2015) Self-selection of emigrants: Theory and evidence on stochastic dominance in observable and unobservable characteristics (No. w21649). Natl Bur Econ Res 1–46 Borjas GJ, Kauppinen I, Poutvaara P (2015) Self-selection of emigrants: Theory and evidence on stochastic dominance in observable and unobservable characteristics (No. w21649). Natl Bur Econ Res 1–46
go back to reference Bouoiyour J, Miftah A (2015) The impact of migrant workers’ remittances on the living standards of families in Morocco: a propensity score matching approach. Migr Lett 12:13 Bouoiyour J, Miftah A (2015) The impact of migrant workers’ remittances on the living standards of families in Morocco: a propensity score matching approach. Migr Lett 12:13
go back to reference Caliendo M, Kopeinig S (2008) Some practical guidance for the implementation of propensity score matching. J Econ Surv 22:31–72CrossRef Caliendo M, Kopeinig S (2008) Some practical guidance for the implementation of propensity score matching. J Econ Surv 22:31–72CrossRef
go back to reference Cook B, Alegría M, Lin JY, Guo J (2009) Pathways and correlates connecting Latinos’ mental health with exposure to the United States. Am J Public Health 99:2247–2254CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Cook B, Alegría M, Lin JY, Guo J (2009) Pathways and correlates connecting Latinos’ mental health with exposure to the United States. Am J Public Health 99:2247–2254CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
go back to reference Cullinan J, Gillespie P (2015) Does overweight and obesity impact on self-rated health? evidence using instrumental variables ordered probit models. Health Econ 25:1314–1348 Cullinan J, Gillespie P (2015) Does overweight and obesity impact on self-rated health? evidence using instrumental variables ordered probit models. Health Econ 25:1314–1348
go back to reference Darmon N, Khlat M (2001) An overview of the health status of migrants in France, in relation to their dietary practices. Public Health Nutr 4:163–172PubMed Darmon N, Khlat M (2001) An overview of the health status of migrants in France, in relation to their dietary practices. Public Health Nutr 4:163–172PubMed
go back to reference Delavari M, Sønderlund AL, Swinburn B, Mellor D, Renzaho A (2013) Acculturation and obesity among migrant populations in high income countries–a systematic review. BMC Public Health 13:458CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Delavari M, Sønderlund AL, Swinburn B, Mellor D, Renzaho A (2013) Acculturation and obesity among migrant populations in high income countries–a systematic review. BMC Public Health 13:458CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
go back to reference Dogra S, Meisner BA, Ardern CI (2010) Variation in mode of physical activity by ethnicity and time since immigration: a cross-sectional analysis. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 7:75CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Dogra S, Meisner BA, Ardern CI (2010) Variation in mode of physical activity by ethnicity and time since immigration: a cross-sectional analysis. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 7:75CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
go back to reference Gilmore J (1999) Body mass index and health [1996-97 data]. Health Rep 11:31PubMed Gilmore J (1999) Body mass index and health [1996-97 data]. Health Rep 11:31PubMed
go back to reference Gonçalves M, Cook B (2016) Life training for aging and migration. J Clin Neurosci Ment Health 3:7CrossRef Gonçalves M, Cook B (2016) Life training for aging and migration. J Clin Neurosci Ment Health 3:7CrossRef
go back to reference Heinrich C, Maffioli A, Vazquez G (2010) A primer for applying propensity-score matching. Inter-American Development Bank, Washington DC Heinrich C, Maffioli A, Vazquez G (2010) A primer for applying propensity-score matching. Inter-American Development Bank, Washington DC
go back to reference Hosper K, Nierkens V, Nicolaou M, Stronks K (2007) Behavioural risk factors in two generations of non-Western migrants: do trends converge towards the host population? Eur J Epidemiol 22:163–172CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Hosper K, Nierkens V, Nicolaou M, Stronks K (2007) Behavioural risk factors in two generations of non-Western migrants: do trends converge towards the host population? Eur J Epidemiol 22:163–172CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
go back to reference Johnson JE, Taylor EJ (2012) Does moving kill? The effect of migration on older-age mortality. Mimeo, New York Johnson JE, Taylor EJ (2012) Does moving kill? The effect of migration on older-age mortality. Mimeo, New York
go back to reference Kennedy S, Kidd MP, McDonald JT, Biddle N (2015) The healthy immigrant effect: patterns and evidence from four countries. J Int Migr Integr 16:317–332CrossRef Kennedy S, Kidd MP, McDonald JT, Biddle N (2015) The healthy immigrant effect: patterns and evidence from four countries. J Int Migr Integr 16:317–332CrossRef
go back to reference Koca C, Lapa TY (2014) Analysis of physical activity and acculturation among Turkish migrants in Germany and England. Percept Mot Skills 119:698–716CrossRefPubMed Koca C, Lapa TY (2014) Analysis of physical activity and acculturation among Turkish migrants in Germany and England. Percept Mot Skills 119:698–716CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Koster A et al (2007) Lifestyle factors and incident mobility limitation in obese and non-obese older adults. Obesity 15:3122–3132CrossRefPubMed Koster A et al (2007) Lifestyle factors and incident mobility limitation in obese and non-obese older adults. Obesity 15:3122–3132CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Lee SJ, Chung C (2013) Comparisons of health conditions of immigrant and domestic women in Korea and China using propensity score matching. Health Care Women Int 34:989–1004CrossRefPubMed Lee SJ, Chung C (2013) Comparisons of health conditions of immigrant and domestic women in Korea and China using propensity score matching. Health Care Women Int 34:989–1004CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Malter F (2014) Fieldwork monitoring in the survey of health, ageing and retirement in Europe (SHARE). Survey Methods: Insights from the Field (SMIF) Malter F (2014) Fieldwork monitoring in the survey of health, ageing and retirement in Europe (SHARE). Survey Methods: Insights from the Field (SMIF)
go back to reference Melchior M, Chollet A, Glangeaud-Freudenthal N, Saurel-Cubizolles M-J, Dufourg M-N, Van Der Waerden J, Sutter-Dallay A-L (2015) Tobacco and alcohol use in pregnancy in France: the role of migrant status: the nationally representative ELFE study. Addict Behav 51:65–71CrossRefPubMed Melchior M, Chollet A, Glangeaud-Freudenthal N, Saurel-Cubizolles M-J, Dufourg M-N, Van Der Waerden J, Sutter-Dallay A-L (2015) Tobacco and alcohol use in pregnancy in France: the role of migrant status: the nationally representative ELFE study. Addict Behav 51:65–71CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Mladovsky P (2009) A framework for analysing migrant health policies in Europe. Health Policy 93:55–63CrossRefPubMed Mladovsky P (2009) A framework for analysing migrant health policies in Europe. Health Policy 93:55–63CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Möllers J, Meyer W (2014) The effects of migration on poverty and inequality in rural Kosovo. IZA J Labor Dev 3:16CrossRef Möllers J, Meyer W (2014) The effects of migration on poverty and inequality in rural Kosovo. IZA J Labor Dev 3:16CrossRef
go back to reference Mulder M, Ranchor AV, Sanderman R, Bouma J, van den Heuvel WJ (1998) The stability of lifestyle behaviour. Int J Epidemiol 27:199–207CrossRefPubMed Mulder M, Ranchor AV, Sanderman R, Bouma J, van den Heuvel WJ (1998) The stability of lifestyle behaviour. Int J Epidemiol 27:199–207CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Nierkens V, van der Ploeg MV, van Eer MY, Stronks K (2011) How do psychosocial determinants in migrant women in the Netherlands differ from these among their counterparts in their country of origin? A cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health 11:397CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Nierkens V, van der Ploeg MV, van Eer MY, Stronks K (2011) How do psychosocial determinants in migrant women in the Netherlands differ from these among their counterparts in their country of origin? A cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health 11:397CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
go back to reference Rechel B, Mladovsky P, Ingleby D, Mackenbach JP, McKee M (2013) Migration and health in an increasingly diverse Europe. The Lancet 381:1235–1245CrossRef Rechel B, Mladovsky P, Ingleby D, Mackenbach JP, McKee M (2013) Migration and health in an increasingly diverse Europe. The Lancet 381:1235–1245CrossRef
go back to reference Reiss K, Sauzet O, Breckenkamp J, Spallek J, Razum O (2014) How immigrants adapt their smoking behaviour: comparative analysis among Turkish immigrants in Germany and the Netherlands. BMC Public Health 14:844CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Reiss K, Sauzet O, Breckenkamp J, Spallek J, Razum O (2014) How immigrants adapt their smoking behaviour: comparative analysis among Turkish immigrants in Germany and the Netherlands. BMC Public Health 14:844CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
go back to reference Reus-Pons M, Kibele EU, Janssen F (2017) Differences in healthy life expectancy between older migrants and non-migrants in three European countries over time. Int J Public Health 62:1–10CrossRef Reus-Pons M, Kibele EU, Janssen F (2017) Differences in healthy life expectancy between older migrants and non-migrants in three European countries over time. Int J Public Health 62:1–10CrossRef
go back to reference Riosmena F, Wong R, Palloni A (2013) Migration selection, protection, and acculturation in health: a binational perspective on older adults. Demography 50:1039–1064CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Riosmena F, Wong R, Palloni A (2013) Migration selection, protection, and acculturation in health: a binational perspective on older adults. Demography 50:1039–1064CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
go back to reference Rubalcava LN, Teruel GM, Thomas D, Goldman N (2008) The healthy migrant effect: new findings from the Mexican Family Life Survey. Am J Public Health 98:78–84CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Rubalcava LN, Teruel GM, Thomas D, Goldman N (2008) The healthy migrant effect: new findings from the Mexican Family Life Survey. Am J Public Health 98:78–84CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
go back to reference Schmidt M, Absalah S, Nierkens V, Stronks K (2008) Which factors engage women in deprived neighbourhoods to participate in exercise referral schemes? BMC Public Health 8:371CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Schmidt M, Absalah S, Nierkens V, Stronks K (2008) Which factors engage women in deprived neighbourhoods to participate in exercise referral schemes? BMC Public Health 8:371CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
go back to reference SHARE (2016) SHARE—survey of health, ageing and retirement in Europe. SHARE-ERIC, Munich, Germany SHARE (2016) SHARE—survey of health, ageing and retirement in Europe. SHARE-ERIC, Munich, Germany
go back to reference Silventoinen K, Hammar N, Hedlund E, Koskenvuo M, Rönnemaa T, Kaprio J (2008) Selective international migration by social position, health behaviour and personality. Eur J Public Health 18:150–155CrossRefPubMed Silventoinen K, Hammar N, Hedlund E, Koskenvuo M, Rönnemaa T, Kaprio J (2008) Selective international migration by social position, health behaviour and personality. Eur J Public Health 18:150–155CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Teuscher D, Bukman AJ, van Baak MA, Feskens EJ, Renes RJ, Meershoek A (2015) Challenges of a healthy lifestyle for socially disadvantaged people of Dutch, Moroccan and Turkish origin in the Netherlands: a focus group study. Crit Public Health 25:615–626CrossRefPubMed Teuscher D, Bukman AJ, van Baak MA, Feskens EJ, Renes RJ, Meershoek A (2015) Challenges of a healthy lifestyle for socially disadvantaged people of Dutch, Moroccan and Turkish origin in the Netherlands: a focus group study. Crit Public Health 25:615–626CrossRefPubMed
go back to reference Urban M, Burghuber OC, Dereci C, Aydogan M, Selimovic E, Catic S, Funk G-C (2015) Tobacco addiction and smoking cessation in Austrian migrants: a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open 5:e006510CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Urban M, Burghuber OC, Dereci C, Aydogan M, Selimovic E, Catic S, Funk G-C (2015) Tobacco addiction and smoking cessation in Austrian migrants: a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open 5:e006510CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
go back to reference Verhagen I, Ros WJ, Steunenberg B, de Wit NJ (2013) Culturally sensitive care for elderly immigrants through ethnic community health workers: design and development of a community based intervention programme in the Netherlands. BMC Public Health 13:227CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Verhagen I, Ros WJ, Steunenberg B, de Wit NJ (2013) Culturally sensitive care for elderly immigrants through ethnic community health workers: design and development of a community based intervention programme in the Netherlands. BMC Public Health 13:227CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
go back to reference Warnes AM, Friedrich K, Kellaher L, Torres S (2004) The diversity and welfare of older migrants in Europe. Ageing Soc 24:307–326CrossRef Warnes AM, Friedrich K, Kellaher L, Torres S (2004) The diversity and welfare of older migrants in Europe. Ageing Soc 24:307–326CrossRef
go back to reference World Health Organization (2014) Global status report on alcohol and health, 2014. World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland World Health Organization (2014) Global status report on alcohol and health, 2014. World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
Metadata
Title
Lifestyle differences between older migrants and non-migrants in 14 European countries using propensity score matching method
Authors
Jelena Arsenijevic
Wim Groot
Publication date
01-04-2018
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
International Journal of Public Health / Issue 3/2018
Print ISSN: 1661-8556
Electronic ISSN: 1661-8564
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-017-1010-5

Other articles of this Issue 3/2018

International Journal of Public Health 3/2018 Go to the issue