Role of country of origin and state of residence for dietary change among foreign-born adults in the US

Health Place. 2023 Sep:83:103106. doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2023.103106. Epub 2023 Aug 31.

Abstract

Place of origin and place of current residence may shape migrants' health-related behaviors. Using the nationally-representative US New Immigrant Survey (n = 7930), we examined associations between country of origin, state of residence, and dietary changes among foreign-born adults. 65% of migrants reported dietary change since immigration (mean score = 7.3; range = 1-10); 6% of the variance was explained by country of origin characteristics; 1.6% by US state of residence; 1.4% by their interaction. Country of origin factors, specifically availability of animal source foods and sweets, were associated with dietary change, availability of sweets also including greater abandonment of specific foods and adoption of others.

Keywords: Dietary change; Migration; Modes of incorporation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Emigrants and Immigrants*
  • Emigration and Immigration
  • Food
  • Health Behavior
  • Humans
  • Internationality