LIFE SYTLES AND HEALTH PROBLEMS OF TURKISH YOUTH STUDYING IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS OF ROTTERDAM

Öz

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. 

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Lifestyles,Health problems,Turkish immigrants,youth

LIFE SYTLES AND HEALTH PROBLEMS OF TURKISH YOUTH STUDYING IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS OF ROTTERDAM

Öz

: 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. 

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Lifestyles

Kaynakça

1. Bik, M, 1998, De bevolkingsgroep ‘overige arme landen’ in Rotterdam, COS, Rotterdam.
2. COS, 1998, Demografische gegevens 1998, Rotterdam.
3. Gijsberts, M. & Dagevos, J. (2009), Jaarrapport integratie 2009, Sociaal en Cultureel Planbureau, Den Haag
4. ISEO-COS, 2002, Minderhedenmonitor 2001, Rotterdam.