title: Is acculturation associated with physical activity among female immigrants in Sweden?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Immigrant women in Sweden have lower levels of leisure time physical activity (LTPA) than Swedish-born women. The reasons are unclear, although acculturation has been suggested to play a role.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used a cross-sectional study design to investigate the association between LTPA and two indicators of acculturation: (i) language proficiency (ability to understand news reports on the radio and television) and (ii) age at the time of migration, and if there existed a modifying effect on these hypothesized associations. The study sample consisted of 1651 women, aged 18-65, living in Sweden and born in Finland, Chile or Iraq. A postal questionnaire (translated into the women's native language) was used to collect the variables. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess LTPA. Data were collected in 2002-05 and analyzed in 2009-10. A partial-proportional odds model was used for the analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Increased language proficiency was associated with increased LTPA [odds ratio (OR) = 2.31, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.57-3.41]. Country of birth modified the association. Furthermore, younger age at migration was associated with increased LTPA (OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.01-2.03).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increased language proficiency has the potential to be an important health-promoting factor among immigrant women.
authors.affiliation: Center for Primary Health Care Research, Department of Clinical Science, Lund University, Malmö SE-205 02, Sweden. lena_s.jonsson@med.lu.se
authors.forename: Lena S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Jönsson
authors.forename: Karolina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Palmér
authors.forename: Henrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ohlsson
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sundquist
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sundquist
mesh_terms: D000069:Acculturation; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008875:Middle Aged; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013548:Sweden; D055815:Young Adult