Immigrants in Canada concerned about failing health

Canada, February 18: A large number of immigrants in Canada are feeling concerned about their deteriorating health in the new country.

Although, they were quite healthy when they immigrated to Canada, but after living for a period of more than five years, signs of falling health begin to appear.

The reason behind this issue is, however, yet unclear to the immigrants.

Some of the common problems faced by immigrants in Canada include depression, diabetes, blood pressure and autism. This has been stated by the director of Ottawa’s Somali Center for Family Services, Abdirizak.

Although, it has been proved by earlier studies that immigrants enjoy better health than the natives in Canada, but this latest finding among immigrants in Canada has surprised not jus the Somali community but all the immigrants in Canada.

Co-director of the Immigrant Health Program at the Ottawa’s Elizabeth Bruyere Research Institute, Dr. Kevin Pottie, said the health of immigrants in Canada starts showing signs of decline once they begin living in the country.

Such deterioration in health of Canadian immigrants can be attributed to the changes in their lifestyle including diet, physical fitness regime and deficiency of vitamin D, feel Karod and Pottie.

Since vitamin D is instrumental in building healthy bones in the human body, so, it is essential for every person. Any deficiency of vitamin D can lead to serious complications in the human body including rickets in children and bone fractures and osteoporosis in adults.

Sunlight is an abundant source of vitamin D available to all free of cost. Apart from sunlight, vitamin D can be found in fish, milk. 
Since, Somalis follow an exercise regime in their country, they get safety from lots of diseases. But, once they move into Canada, they switch to easy lifestyle. Moreover, since Somalis have darker skin than the Canadians, hence, they need more exposure to ultraviolet rays of sun to get the required amount of vitamin D.

Immigrants in Canada are increasingly suffering from diseases linked to deficiency of Vitamin D like autism and schizophrenia. So, requisite amount of Vitamin D can help provide a solution to the declining health of Canadian immigrants.