Background: Immigrants are considered globally to be a vulnerable subpopulation. Vulnerable population groups have a higher prevalence of obesity than the general population. Despite increased immigration of people from Somalia to Sweden in recent years, little research has been undertaken about obesity and obesity-related health risks among Somali immigrants. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of overweight and obesity, as well as possible relationships between weight status and socio-demographic characteristics, dietary habits and physical activity (PA) among Somali immigrants in Sweden.

Methods:This quantitative cross-sectional study included 114 respondents. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire covering socio-demographic factors, PA and dietary habits. Weight and height were also measured.

Results:Of the 114 respondents, 50.9% had a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or above.In bi-variate analysis, there were no statistically significant differences between those with a BMI below 25 and those with a BMI of 25 or more regarding PA or dietary habits. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that female gender and being married were associated with having a BMI of 25 or above.

Conclusion: Socio-demographic factors may be more strongly associated with high BMI than PA or dietary habits among the targeted group and should be taken into account as an issue affecting Somali immigrants in Sweden that warrants further research.

Integration of care is high on public health agendas all around the world. The development and implementation of integrative arrangements has been promoted for more or less two decades. Despite this every so often extensive history, there are recognised needs to take research into areas yet poorly explored, which include measures and outcomes of integrated care. On the other hand, existing evidence and knowledge can probably become more ennobled and thereby contribute to a deeper understanding of the compound art of integrating of health care services. Accordingly, the aim of this article is to re-evaluate and synthesise some revisited theories for the facilitation of sustainable integrated care solutions.

This exploration shows it is important to have crucial prerequisites for integration in place: both functional and interactional conditions. This appears to be an organic process where the stakeholders go through gradual changes until the optimum level of integration as well as mutualistic interactions are established.

It could be argued that refined knowledge could be excerpted from existing research. Then again, this strategy does not exclude actions for new research in poorly explored areas. Both approaches are important for the development of sustainable integrated care.