Immigration to Europe - especially from neighbouring North Africa - is a consistent phenomenon with social and health-related implications. Even if in many cases immigrants come from lower-income countries, their health status is better than that of European-born citizens at immigration time, given their younger age. Still, the adoption of a Western life style, with increased caloric intake and reduced physical activity, may soon lead to a deterioration of individual health. European-born individuals engage more often in leisure-time physical activity than immigrants (especially women) and follow a more healthy diet. Thus, obesity, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes may have a higher prevalence in accustomed immigrants
