Food Acculturation + Health Disparities Among Resettled Migrants

Diversity/InclusivityWellnessSustainability
Written By Krystle
 
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Immigrants typically move to a new country in search of a better life, whether it involves pursuing higher education, finding better job opportunities, or even escaping dangers of their countries of origin. However, researchers continue to discover positive correlations between rate of acculturation in the new host country and health disparities among immigrants.

 
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Health findings associated with migrants who adopt American dietary patterns

  • Increased rates of cardiovascular disease

  • Increased rates of metabolic syndrome

  • Increased risk of obesity

  • Increased BMI

  • Increased risk of diabetes

Across a multitude of studies, results have shown that immigrants tend to replace traditional and ethnic foods with more animal fat, convenience foods, alcohol, salty snacks, and desserts.

Dietary changes associated with migrants who adopt American dietary patterns

  • Decreased consumption of fruits & vegetables

  • Decreased consumption of whole grains

  • Increased consumption of saturated fats

  • Increased consumption of sweetened beverages

  • Increased consumption of red meats

  • Increased consumption of dairy products

  • Increased consumption of starches

It Ain’t Always About Money

The negative health effects of dietary acculturation affects all individuals, regardless of socioeconomic class. Studies have shown that low-income migrants tend to consume more added sugars and total fats, thus attributing to higher BMI status. In comparison, international college students in America have also reported significant weight gain due to the evolution of their dietary habits.

 
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What Wai Lifestyle is Doing to Help

Wai Lifestyle works to promote healthy eating within the parameters of one’s traditional, ethnic, and sociocultural habits. Having worked with a diverse body of clients, I understand the importance of inclusive health promotion in order to achieve success in helping individuals make sustainable lifestyle changes.

Sources

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Krystle http://www.wailifestyle.com
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