Objective: To investigate the role of acculturation, as measured by generational status, on body mass index (BMI) in a sample of Canadian youth.
Methods: Population-based data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth were used. Participants were divided into 2 age ranges: children aged 6-11 years (n = 14,287) and adolescents aged 12-17 years (n = 12,155). Youth were classified into one of five generations of immigration: first-generation, second-generation, mixed-generation, third-generation, and Aboriginal. Parent- and self-report height and weight were used to calculate BMI Z-scores.
Results: Generation of immigration was significantly related to BMI Z-score in both childhood and adolescence. First-generation immigrants had more weight gain compared to other groups during adolescence, but not during childhood.
Conclusions: Acculturation, as measured by generation of immigration, is an important predictor of BMI in Canadian children and adolescents.