Dietary transition stages based on eating patterns and diet quality among Haitians of Montreal, Canada

Abstract

Objectives: To identify dietary transition stages based on dietary patterns of adult Haitians having lived in Montreal for various lengths of time, and to assess associated dietary quality. Subjects: One hundred and eighty-one Haitians aged 25 -60 years were recruited by the modified random digit dialling method. Design: Socio-economic, diet and lifestyle variables were documented by questionnaire. Three non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls were conducted over a 3-month period. Dietary patterns were studied using cluster analysis, and their association with proportion of lifetime in Canada and with socio-economic status (SES) was examined. Diet quality criteria were micronutrient adequacy and healthfulness based on dietary recommendations of the World Health Organization. Results: Four dietary phenotypes were identified which could roughly represent stages of dietary transition or acculturation (Traditional, Pre-Western, Western and Modern). Subjects in the 'Traditional' cluster were older and had lived for a significantly lower proportion of their lifetime in Canada; they also tended to be of lower SES. Diet quality was significantly higher in the 'Traditional' than the 'Western' type, particularly with respect to healthfulness. A significantly lower proportion of subjects complying with limited intake of total fat (, 30%) and cholesterol (, 45%) was observed in the 'Western' compared with other diet phenotypes. Less than 15% of all subjects consumed enough dietary fibre, irrespective of diet type. Conclusion: Dietary transition stages could be identified on the basis of food patterns of Haitians according to the proportion of their lifetime in Canada. Encouraging the youth to retain the traditional food culture in its positive aspects would appear relevant.

Major dietary patterns in relation to demographic and socio-economic status and food insecurity in two Iranian ethnic groups living in Urmia, Iran

“…Further, our findings are in accordance with several studies that have shown 'Western'-type dietary patterns to be followed more by younger individuals (30,(46)(47)(48)(49) . This may reflect acculturation to Western and/or urbanized eating habits and departure from traditional dietary habits (50) to a more modern and convenient dietary pattern mainly by younger generations.…”

Migration as a Turning Point in Food Habits: The Early Phase of Dietary Acculturation among Women from South Asian, African, and Middle Eastern Countries Living in Norway

“…Our findings indicate that the notion of a turning point in food trajectories provides a useful conceptual framework as it contributes to an understanding of the first period after migration as a specific phase in the process of dietary acculturation. Previous studies indicate that the dietary changes observed among immigrants tend to correspond to a process described as "dietary transition" (Desilets et al 2007), a progressive shift towards more Westernized and unhealthy dietary patterns (Popkin 2002). In the case of immigrants, dietary transition is an integral part of the process of acculturation (Desilets et al 2007 investigating if and how early experiences with food affect the development of dietary habits and the possible implications for health are recommended.…”

Comparison of Two Indices of Diet Quality with Acculturation Factors and Demographics in Haitian Americans

“…This figure does not include illegal immigrants, estimated to be 230,000 in 2008 (Terrazas 2010). Increased rates of CVD risk factors such as obesity, hypertension and diabetes, have been found for African, Caribbean and Black populations in the U.S. and UK, yet dietary changes with acculturation are lacking (Désilets et al 2006 (Buchanan et al 2010), many of whom live in proximity to our laboratory. Diet quality may vary for Haitian Americans based on the influence of the host culture (U.S.).…”

“…Dietary quality and physical activity are influenced by culture; for immigrants the culture of origin and the new or host culture impact their health behavior (Lara et al 2005;Désilets et al 2006). These changes are a part of the larger process of acculturation, whereby ethnic groups adopt the cultural patterns (customs, language, beliefs) of the dominant/host group.…”

“…Few studies of diet and acculturation have been conducted in Haitian Americans; however, two studies reported dietary change toward less healthy eating (lower fiber and higher fat consumption) was associated with length of stay for Haitian migrants (Désilets et al 2006;Delisle 2010). The population with Haitian ancestry in the United States is estimated to be 830,000 (approximately 0.3% of the total population) and two-thirds of this population resides in Florida and New York, according to the U.S. Census (Buchanan, Albert, and Beaulieu 2010).…”