Abstract
By benefitting from the general stand point of sociology of the body, in this article, we try to shed
light on health problems of immigrants. More specifically, the relationship between life styles and health
problems of Turkish youth studying in Netherlands is the main subject of this article. The major research
question can be expressed as the following: to what extent do the life styles of Turkish youth influence their
health conditions? In this regard, we aim to test 5 hypotheses:
1. Gender difference among Turkish youth is a significant factor affecting their health problems and
life styles.
2. As age and level of education get higher, so do internal group differences.
3. Turkish youth is no different from other ethnic groups in terms of their life styles and health
problems.
4. Turkish youth is similar to Moroccan youth in regard to their life styles.
5. Disregarding group membership, young people involved in sports are better off than all others in
living a healthier life.
We try to test those hypotheses by using the data set of a research project called “Jeugdmonitor Rotterdam”
(Rotterdam Youth Survey) carried out by Rotterdam Municipality Health Services (GGD) in secondary
schools. Main findings can be summarized as the following: First, the findings show that there is not a great
difference between boys and girls in terms of health experiences. There seems to be no gender difference
among those who describe their health as “bad.” Second, the findings show no significant pattern of
difference among age groups. It is not right to claim for the youth that health problems get increased as they
get older. However, when it comes to life styles, age seems to be a source of differentiation. In other words,
as young people get older, parallel to this as they get more level of education, we start observing a negative
effect on life styles. Third hypothesis (ethnic differences have an effect on neither life styles nor health
experiences, thus, Turkish youth is no different from other ethnic groups in terms of their life styles and
health problems) was confirmed in regard to neither of them. The fourth hypothesis (Turkish youth is similar
to Moroccan youth in regard to their life styles) was confirmed by many indicators of life styles. The last
hypothesis (disregarding group membership, young people involved in sports are better off than all others in
living a healthier life) was confirmed by all groups.
The most important conclusion of this article is that there is a correlation between life styles and health
experiences of Turkish youth. Put it differently, all factors that we used as indicators of life styles (weight,
consumption of fruits and vegetables, breakfast habit, spending time before TV and computers, smoking and
use of cannabis and alcohol), with the exceptions of cold drinks (sodas/sweet beverages) and mobility, seem
to be related to health experiences. This conclusion is quite important from the sociology of the body point of
view. Although apparently and directly seem be related to the products that we consume, body health and
well-being experiences are closely related to our socio-cultural habits if we look at them from a broader
perspective.
Keywords
References
- Bik, M, 1998, De bevolkingsgroep ‘overige arme landen’ in Rotterdam, COS, Rotterdam.
- COS, 1998, Demografische gegevens 1998, Rotterdam.
- Gijsberts, M. & Dagevos, J. (2009), Jaarrapport integratie 2009, Sociaal en Cultureel Planbureau, Den Haag
- ISEO-COS, 2002, Minderhedenmonitor 2001, Rotterdam.
Abstract
: By benefitting from the general stand point of sociology of the body, in this article, we try to shed
light on health problems of immigrants. More specifically, the relationship between life styles and health
problems of Turkish youth studying in Netherlands is the main subject of this article. The major research
question can be expressed as the following: to what extent do the life styles of Turkish youth influence their
health conditions? In this regard, we aim to test 5 hypotheses:
1. Gender difference among Turkish youth is a significant factor affecting their health problems and
life styles.
2. As age and level of education get higher, so do internal group differences.
3. Turkish youth is no different from other ethnic groups in terms of their life styles and health
problems.
4. Turkish youth is similar to Moroccan youth in regard to their life styles.
5. Disregarding group membership, young people involved in sports are better off than all others in
living a healthier life.
We try to test those hypotheses by using the data set of a research project called “Jeugdmonitor Rotterdam”
(Rotterdam Youth Survey) carried out by Rotterdam Municipality Health Services (GGD) in secondary
schools. Main findings can be summarized as the following: First, the findings show that there is not a great
difference between boys and girls in terms of health experiences. There seems to be no gender difference
among those who describe their health as “bad.” Second, the findings show no significant pattern of
difference among age groups. It is not right to claim for the youth that health problems get increased as they
get older. However, when it comes to life styles, age seems to be a source of differentiation. In other words,
as young people get older, parallel to this as they get more level of education, we start observing a negative
effect on life styles. Third hypothesis (ethnic differences have an effect on neither life styles nor health
experiences, thus, Turkish youth is no different from other ethnic groups in terms of their life styles and
health problems) was confirmed in regard to neither of them. The fourth hypothesis (Turkish youth is similar
to Moroccan youth in regard to their life styles) was confirmed by many indicators of life styles. The last
hypothesis (disregarding group membership, young people involved in sports are better off than all others in
living a healthier life) was confirmed by all groups.
The most important conclusion of this article is that there is a correlation between life styles and health
experiences of Turkish youth. Put it differently, all factors that we used as indicators of life styles (weight,
consumption of fruits and vegetables, breakfast habit, spending time before TV and computers, smoking and
use of cannabis and alcohol), with the exceptions of cold drinks (sodas/sweet beverages) and mobility, seem
to be related to health experiences. This conclusion is quite important from the sociology of the body point of
view. Although apparently and directly seem be related to the products that we consume, body health and
well-being experiences are closely related to our socio-cultural habits if we look at them from a broader
perspective.
Keywords
References
- Bik, M, 1998, De bevolkingsgroep ‘overige arme landen’ in Rotterdam, COS, Rotterdam.
- COS, 1998, Demografische gegevens 1998, Rotterdam.
- Gijsberts, M. & Dagevos, J. (2009), Jaarrapport integratie 2009, Sociaal en Cultureel Planbureau, Den Haag
- ISEO-COS, 2002, Minderhedenmonitor 2001, Rotterdam.
Details
| Primary Language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal Section | Articles |
| Authors | |
| Publication Date | December 1, 2011 |
| Published in Issue | Year 2011 Volume: 6 Issue: 2 |