Increasing obesity odds among foreign-born New Yorkers are not explained by eating out, age at arrival, or duration of residence: results from NYC HANES 2004 and 2013/2014

Background Among the foreign-born in the United States (US) dietary acculturation and eating out may increase obesity risk. Using the 2004 (N = 1952) and 2013/14 (N = 1481) New York City (NYC) Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, we compared for the foreign-born and US-born by survey year: 1) odds of obesity; 2) association between eating out and obesity and 3) effect of age at arrival and duration of residence among the foreign-born. Weighted logistic regression estimated odds of obesity. Results Compared to the US-born, the foreign-born had lower odds of obesity in 2004, (aOR = 0.51 (95%CI 0.37–0.70), P = <.0001). Odds were no different in 2013/14. In 2013/14 the foreign-born who ate out had lower obesity odds (aOR = 0.49 (95%CI 0.31–0.77), P = 0.0022). The foreign-born living in the US≥10 years had greater odds of obesity in 2004 (aOR = 1.73 (95%CI 1.08–2.79), P = 0.0233) but not in 2013/14. Conclusions Eating out does not explain increasing obesity odds among the foreign-born.

Dietary acculturation of international students in Pune, India: a cross-sectional study

Background: Dietary acculturation refers to how a migrant group adopts the eating patterns of the host country. It results in changes in dietary behavior, dietary intake, and nutritional status of this vulnerable group. Aim: To study dietary acculturation of international students in Pune, India. Methods: International students from three Universities in Pune were enrolled. Information on demography, dietary behavior, and dietary intake (using a food frequency questionnaire) was recorded using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The height and weight of the students were measured using standard, calibrated equipment. The data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics. Results: A total of 100 international students from Iran, Africa, and South Korea were grouped by nationality. Considerable variation was detected in the daily number of meals consumed, skipping meals, portion size changes, packaged food consumption, and supplement intake following migration between the groups. The intake of non-vegetarian food had declined drastically for all groups. However, the specific non-vegetarian item showing the greatest change differed according to the group’s nationality. The intake of biscuits and cake had increased among all groups. African students showed an increase of 3.33 kg in body weight following migration. The intake of protein and micronutrients declined for all groups. Conclusions: This study highlights the changes in dietary behavior, dietary intake, and nutritional status of international students of different nationalities following migration to Pune, India. Thus, it emphasizes the need for nutrition interventions in international students in India.

Exploring the Role of the Food Environment in Dietary Acculturation: A Study amongst Moroccan Immigrants in The Netherlands

Food environments play a role in immigrants’ dietary acculturation, but little is known about the directionality of the relationship. The objective was to explore the interaction between the food environment and food procurement behaviors in the process of dietary acculturation. A qualitative study design using in-depth interviews and a mapping exercise was conducted. The immigrant group studied used a variety of factors to select which foods to procure. Traditional foods were readily available, shifting the determining factors to a combination of affordability, acceptability and accessibility. The food environment is dynamic and responds to shifting market demands. Policies regarding food procurement behaviors should consider these upstream effects and be aware of the availability of traditional foods for immigrant groups.

Intergenerational differences in dietary acculturation among Ghanaian immigrants living in New York City: a qualitative study

Dietary acculturation may explain the increasing risk of diet-related diseases among African immigrants in the United States (US). We interviewed twenty-five Ghanaian immigrants (Youth n 13, Age (Mean ± sd) 20 y ± 5⋅4, Parents (n 6) and Grandparents (n 6) age 58⋅7 ± 9⋅7) living in New York City (NYC) to (a) understand how cultural practices and the acculturation experience influence dietary patterns of Ghanaian immigrants and (b) identify intergenerational differences in dietary acculturation among Ghanaian youth, parents and grandparents. Dietary acculturation began in Ghana, continued in NYC and was perceived as a positive process. At the interpersonal level, parents encouraged youth to embrace school lunch and foods outside the home. In contrast, parents preferred home-cooked Ghanaian meals, yet busy schedules limited time for cooking and shared meals. At the community level, greater purchasing power in NYC led to increased calories, and youth welcomed individual choice as schools and fast food exposed them to new foods. Global forces facilitated nutrition transition in Ghana as fast and packaged foods became omnipresent in urban settings. Adults sought to maintain cultural foodways while facilitating dietary acculturation for youth. Both traditional and global diets evolved as youth and adults adopted new food and healthy social norms in the US.