Abstract
Dietary acculturation for immigrant groups has largely been attributed to the “Westernization” of indigenous diets, as characterized
by an increased consumption of unhealthy American foods (i.e., fast foods, hamburgers). However, acculturation and adoption
of western dietary habits may not fully explain new dietary patterns among racial/ethnic minority immigrants. The immigrant
diet may change in such a way that it elaborates on specific ethnic traditions in addition to the incorporation of Western
food habits. In this paper, we explore the role that festival foods, those foods that were once eaten a few times a year and
on special occasions, play in the regular diet of immigrants to the US. This paper will focus on the overconsumption of ethnic
festival foods, which are often high in carbohydrates, animal protein, sugar and fat, as opposed to Western “junk” food, as
an explanation for the increased risk of cardiometabolic disorders among new immigrant groups.
by an increased consumption of unhealthy American foods (i.e., fast foods, hamburgers). However, acculturation and adoption
of western dietary habits may not fully explain new dietary patterns among racial/ethnic minority immigrants. The immigrant
diet may change in such a way that it elaborates on specific ethnic traditions in addition to the incorporation of Western
food habits. In this paper, we explore the role that festival foods, those foods that were once eaten a few times a year and
on special occasions, play in the regular diet of immigrants to the US. This paper will focus on the overconsumption of ethnic
festival foods, which are often high in carbohydrates, animal protein, sugar and fat, as opposed to Western “junk” food, as
an explanation for the increased risk of cardiometabolic disorders among new immigrant groups.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Review Paper
- Pages 1-8
- DOI 10.1007/s10903-012-9705-4
- Authors
- Kristen M. J. Azar, Health Policy Research Department, Palo Alto Medical Foundation Research Institute, 795 El Camino Real, Ames Building, Palo Alto, CA 94301, USA
- Edith Chen, Asian American Studies Department, California State University, Northridge, CA, USA
- Ariel T. Holland, Health Policy Research Department, Palo Alto Medical Foundation Research Institute, 795 El Camino Real, Ames Building, Palo Alto, CA 94301, USA
- Latha P. Palaniappan, Health Policy Research Department, Palo Alto Medical Foundation Research Institute, 795 El Camino Real, Ames Building, Palo Alto, CA 94301, USA
- Journal Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
- Online ISSN 1557-1920
- Print ISSN 1557-1912