Health

More sports for immigrants

Studies show that immigrants from India , Spanish-speaking countries and Haiti have a high rate of sedentarism. As a result, they are more at risk of developing type 2 diabetes than the average Québecer. The solution? Have them learn the benefits of physical activity, which may reduce the risks associated with this disease. The goal of broad research-action project run by a master’s student in the Department of Kinesiology at Université de Montréal, Isabelle Ouimet, is to develop programs of physical activity and education in good living habits for insulin-resistant or diabetic persons.

Concretely, the research has produced a “turnkey” kit that is geared to the immigrants’ needs and reality. Designed for health and physical activity professionals, the tool is the result of work carried out jointly by researchers at the Université de Montréal and the Montreal Public Health Directorate, in partnership with the Côte-des-Neiges CLSC and Health Canada, and includes a CD-ROM which contains, among other things, an information manual and 10 exercise sessions. It has already been tested on immigrants, and will undergo tests with other cultural communities this fall. But behind this tool is a great deal of research work, much of it by Ms. Ouimet, which helped determine the living habits of immigrant groups most at risk of diabetes.

Isabel Ouimet gathered a body of data on these people’s perceptions of physical activity and on factors that might encourage them to take part in a program of physical activities. Why was it necessary to do this kind of study? “It came from a review of the literature which showed that East Indians, Hispanics and Haitians presented a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than Caucasians (or Occidentals),” noted Ms. Ouimet, who is working under the direction of Louise Béliveau. To document her research, Ms. Ouimet met with groups of Hispanics and East Indians, as well as a group of Caucasians, in order to learn about and compare their differences in perception and motivation as regards physical activity. The findings showed up to important factors: immigrants to not do the same physical activities as native Québecers, and they exercise at lower intensity—especially immigrant women. In terms of the perception of physical activity, two dimensions stand out, according to Ms. Ouimet. These are the play and utility dimensions. The utility dimension is above all characteristic of Indian women. “For them, doing the wash and cooking, for example, are considered physical activity,” says Ms. Ouimet. Men, meanwhile, associate physical activity more with recreation. The play dimension is characteristic for them.”