Body mass index and associated factors among refugees living in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany: a cross-sectional study

Belau MH, Bassil M, Laukamp A, Krämer A. Body mass index and associated factors among refugees living in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany: a cross-sectional study. BMC nutrition. 2021;7(1): 54.BACKGROUND: This study aims to determine: (i) information on overweight and obesity, represented by body mass index using measured anthropometric data, among refugees living in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, (ii) how body mass index changed throughout the migratory journey to Germany, and (iii) factors influencing body mass index.; METHODS: The study utilizes data from the FlueGe health study, a cross-sectional study conducted by Bielefeld University. The data was collected between February and November 2018 in which participants were recruited in several cities in North Rhine-Westphalia (N=326). We analyzed differences in body mass index before the escape, upon arrival, and since arrival as well as correlations between body mass index since arrival and explanatory variables using linear regression models.; RESULTS: The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity beforethe escape (t0), upon arrival (t1) and since arrival (t2) were 55.2% (150/272), 45.6% (133/292) and 54.8% (171/312), respectively, with 16.2% (44/272), 12.0% (35/292) and 16.0% (50/312) being obese. There was a significant change between t0 and t1 (p<0.001), and between t1 and t2 (p