Dietary Habits of Asian Indians in Relation to Length of Residence in the United States

The Association of Duration of Residence in the United States with Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Among South Asian Immigrants

“…It is curious that South Asians immigrants would experience greater odds of being overweight or obese, but simultaneously be more likely to be physically active and eat more fruits and vegetables, with increasing duration of residence in the US Raj et al [65] documented large increases in fruit juice intake with increasing duration in the US among Asian Indians, which may contribute to undesirable weight gain, though CHIS respondents were instructed not to include juices in their count of fruit and vegetable intake. One explanation may be that despite being less sedentary and eating more fruits and vegetables, long-term resident South Asian immigrants consume more calories than recent immigrants [65], which may offset the beneficial effects of physical activity and of certain recommended components of diet on BMI.…”

“…One explanation may be that despite being less sedentary and eating more fruits and vegetables, long-term resident South Asian immigrants consume more calories than recent immigrants [65], which may offset the beneficial effects of physical activity and of certain recommended components of diet on BMI. Alternatively, as BMI increases with more years spent in the US, South Asian immigrants may try to curb the increased weight gain by eating a healthier diet and increasing physical activity.…”

The association of religiosity with overweight/obese body mass index among Asian Indian immigrants in California

“…Similar to other immigrant groups who may face language and cultural barriers from participating in wider American society, Asian Indian immigrants may initially be involved in activities that revolve around traditional norms, such as participation in customary religious services in order to obtain social and other supports (Basch et al, 1994;Fekete and Williams, 2012;Kim, 1987;Pollard et al, 2003;Zhou, 1992). Immigrants may also adhere to dietary practices similar to those prescribed by their religious traditions (Fekete and Williams, 2012;Raj et al, 1999). For example, Muslims may abstain from alcohol or avoid pork, and Hindus and Sikhs may eat only plant foods (Eliasi and Dwyer, 2002;Jonnalagadda and Diwan, 2002;Raymond and Sukhwant, 1990).…”

“…However, as immigrants increase their exposure to Western cultural practices, they may adopt less healthy food choices found in their host country (Akresh, 2007;Batis et al, 2011;Guendelman et al, 2011;Kim et al, 2007;Lv and Cason, 2004). For Asian Indians, this may mean reduced intake of plant foods or altered meal patterns that may increase risk for overweight/obesity and obesity-related conditions (Garduno-Diaz and Khokhar, 2012;Garduño-Diaz and Khokhar, 2012;Karim et al, 1986;Raj et al, 1999).…”

Acculturation and dietary patterns among residents of Surinamese origin in the Netherlands: the HELIUS dietary pattern study

“…These two dimensions allow individuals the option of maintaining or rejecting their culture of origin while adopting values, attitudes and behaviours of the host culture (17) . Studies on the relationship between acculturation and diet have generally used a unidimensional operationalization of acculturation (21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31) . As shown in reviews by Satia-Abouta et al and Ayala et al on acculturation and diet, most studies have found no consistent association between level of acculturation and intake of specific food groups.…”