Diabetes Amongst Foreign-borne Canadians

The term “healthy immigrant effect” is discussed in many research studies and refers to findings that foreign-born individuals who arrive in Canada are often in better health than Canadian-borne individuals, but their health diminishes the longer they are in Canada (Lane et al., 2018). In a study of Canada’s most common chronic conditions: heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, it was observed that there is a slow increase in the prevalence of these chronic diseases amongst immigrants over a period of 20-25 years, to the point that they converge with the rate of Canadian-born individuals (Lane et al., 2018). The research shows the longer that immigrants are residing in Canada, their risk of developing a chronic disease rises (Lane et al, 2018).

We are aware that the risk of developing a chronic disease increases with age, but there have been studies done with young immigrants and their risk of chronic disease after relocating to Canada. In a news article published in 2023, it was stated that there is a growing number of “newcomer kids” being diagnosed with obesity and Type 2 Diabetes (La Grassa, 2023). The article went onto explain some of the potential causes, such as the cost of healthy food in Canada, and the “lure” of fast food to newcomer kids (La Grassa, 2023). However, there are even disparities amongst immigrant groups in developing Type 2 Diabetes. In a 20-year study of first-generation migrants in the United Kingdom, the prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes was “almost 3 times higher in the Indian Asian population and more than twice in the African Caribbeans, compared with the European controls” (Montesi et al., 2016). It was noted that genetic makeup is in part to blame, as there are differences in the risk of complications from diabetes amongst people from Asia, the Middle East and Africa, compared to Western populations (Montesi et al., 2016). We need to consider this, as well as other social social-ecological factors, such as employment, income, and education, as it impacts population and individual health. In a study by Sanou et al. (2014), they researched the nutritional changes experienced by immigrants. They identified, for instance, that Punjabi women were unable to maintain their traditional diet once moving to Canada, due to changes in their living environment, availability of food, and lifestyle factors such as urbanization and language barriers (Sanou et al., 2014). They also observed changes in diet by other immigrants who moved to Canada, which could affect their risk of chronic health conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure.

So, when it comes to chronic disease prevention and management for immigrants in Canada, we need to identify the various factors influencing their health specifically, and address those through culturally appropriate programs. I think it would be interesting to look at all the common chronic conditions and determine how it affects foreign-borne Canadians. Is the risk of chronic disease more prevalent in one ethnic group over another? Is the risk dependant on where the immigrant relocates (i.e., urban versus rural setting)? These are just some questions I would like to explore through further research.

WORKS CITED

La Grassa, J. (2023, September 24). Newcomer kids to Canada face chronic health risks. Here’s how these researchers hope to help. CBC. https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/immigrant-children-health-risks-1.6975190

Lane, G., Farag, M., White, J., Nisbet, C., & Vatanparast, H. (2018). Chronic health disparities among refugee and immigrant children in Canada. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 43(10), 1043–1058. https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2017-0407

Montesi, L., Caletti, M. T., & Marchesini, G. (2016). Diabetes in migrants and ethnic minorities in a changing World. World Journal of Diabetes, 7(3), 34. https://doi.org/10.4239/wjd.v7.i3.34

Sanou, D., O'Reilly, E., Ngnie-Teta, I., Batal, M., Mondain, N., Andrew, C., Newbold, B. K., & Bourgeault, I. L. (2014). Acculturation and nutritional health of immigrants in Canada: a scoping review. Journal of immigrant and minority health, 16(1), 24–34. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-013-9823-7