Food Patterns among Chinese Immigrants Living in the South of Spain

Abstract

This article aims to explore the food patterns of Chinese immigrants living in Spain and to understand the factors associated with these behaviors. This qualitative ethnographic study included 133 Chinese immigrants; using interviews with scripts were based on the National Health Survey of Spain. Three categories were defined: “Differences between Chinese food and Western food”; “Products and dishes consumed by Chinese immigrants” and “Modification of eating habits”. Participants found a remarkable difference between eastern (i.e., vegetables and rice) and western (i.e., dairy, high-fat, bread) foods. They also experienced a change in their eating habits, mostly related to acculturation and lack of time. Chinese immigrants have different eating patterns as compared to the native population in Spain and this information could help in future healthcare strategies. Knowing the food culture could infer aspects, such as insertion or integration, and promoting health and well-being.

Exploring the Determinants of Food Choice in Chinese Mainlanders and Chinese Immigrants: A Systematic Review

“…TCM was a common factor influencing Chinese immigrants' food choices, whereas in studies involving Chinese mainlanders, no participants mentioned TCM. For the studies involving Chinese immigrants, eight of 17 frequently described achieving a balance of yin/cold and yang/hot, a well-known principle in TCM [25,28,29,[39][40][41][42]44]. Participants believed that it was important to balance yin and yang foods in order to maintain health [25,28,29,[39][40][41][42]44].…”

“…For the studies involving Chinese immigrants, eight of 17 frequently described achieving a balance of yin/cold and yang/hot, a well-known principle in TCM [25,28,29,[39][40][41][42]44]. Participants believed that it was important to balance yin and yang foods in order to maintain health [25,28,29,[39][40][41][42]44]. For example, pregnant women avoided eating yin/cold foods (e.g., crabs, bananas, cold drinks) because they were considered to cause harm to the baby, according to TCM philosophy [25,29].…”

“…Participants believed that it was important to balance yin and yang foods in order to maintain health [25,28,29,[39][40][41][42]44]. For example, pregnant women avoided eating yin/cold foods (e.g., crabs, bananas, cold drinks) because they were considered to cause harm to the baby, according to TCM philosophy [25,29]. A study exploring factors influencing food choices of Chinese university students living in the USA reported that participants tended to eat more "yin" foods in the summer, more "yang" food in winter [44].…”

“…For instance, young adult women reported eating unwanted food or overeating to avoid conflict and to show respect and gratefulness to the cook [34]. Chinese immigrants who grew up in China still preferred a Chinese diet after moving overseas [25,28,29,32,35,36,[40][41][42]. However, in immigrant families with children, parents would also give in to the children's desire to eat and buy Western food [24,28].…”

“…Nine studies explored food choice determinants via direct interaction with participants (interview and/or focus group) and identified nine factors influencing food choices, including time constraints, cost, food quality, availability, convenience, taste, living conditions, family support, and cooking facilities [25,27,29,32,33,39,42,44,47]. Two studies conducted in China identified that food safety concerns also affected participants' food choices.…”