Abstract

Introduction: In Chile, the migrant population including children has increased in the last years. Migrants adopts behaviors of this new culture, which can have an effect on their health. Contradictory results regarding differences between migrant and native children regarding lifestyle habits and health status have been reported. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the associations between lifestyle habits and health indicators in migrants and native schoolchildren in Chile. Material and methods: A cross-sectional and observational study was conducted with 1033 children (86.4% Chilean and 13.6% migrant) from second to fourth grade of seven public schools from low-income municipalities from the Metropolitan Region, Chile. Anthropometric measurements (weight, height, waist circumference, triceps and subscapular folds), handgrip strength and standing long jump measurements, physical activity, self-esteem and food guidelines accomplishments were determined. Results: Migrant children presented lower body mass index (BMI), Z-BMI, body fat% and waist circumference values; and higher handgrip strength, standing long jump, and satisfactory compliance with food guidelines than Chileans (p<0.05). No significant difference for physical activity and self-esteem was observed. In the adjusted models, migrants presented lower odds for overweight/obesity, risk of abdominal obesity, low handgrip strength and unsatisfactory food guidelines accomplishment in all models (p<0.05). Conclusions: The nutritional and muscular fitness of migrant children was better than that of the Chilean ones.