Diet habits of the immigrant population in Almería: differences in the consumption of food depending on origin
Section: Health and quality of life
How to quote
Gutiérrez Izquierdo MI, Alarcón Rodríguez R, Latorre Fernández I. Hábitos alimentarios de la población inmigrante en Almería. Metas de Enferm abr 2012; 15(3): 71-76
Authors
1Mª Isabel Gutiérrez Izquierdo, 2Raquel Alarcón Rodríguez, 3Isabel Latorre Fernández
Position
1Enfermera. Doctora en Antropología. Profesora Titular de Universidad. Departamento de Enfermer
Contact address
Mª Isabel Gutiérrez Izquierdo. Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud. Departamento de Enfermería y Fisioterapia. Universidad de Almería. Carretera Sacramen
Contact email: igizqui@ual.es
Abstract
Objective: to analyze the frequency of food consumption of immigrants living in Almeria, and the differences between the different groups and to assess the body mass index.
Method: cross sectional descriptive study in 2010, on immigrants
living in the province of Almeria who have been living in this city for at least one year. For a confidence level of 95% and absolute accuracy of 5%, a sample size of 383 people was predetermined. Variables: age, marital status, sex, number of children, place of birth, ethnicity, education level, residence, occupation, forms of social reunification, income level and frequency of food consumption through the questionnaire validated by the Spanish Society of Community Nutrition. We performed an univariate analysis (frequencies, measures of central tendency and dispersion) and bivariate analysis (chi-square test).
Results: 326 people participated in the study (response rate 86%). 34,3% came from Africa and 30,6% were Latin American. 42,3% of the surveyed population was overweight. 17,6% of African men and 13,5% of Latin American women were at a BMI between 25 and 35. 67,5% of participants consumed pasta and cereals daily. Statistically significant differences were observed by areas of origin in the consumption of milk and cheese (p < 0,05), chicken, lamb and beef and fish (p < 0,05), and vegetable/legume and alcohol by country of origin (p < 0,01).
Conclusions: at present, the dietary habits of immigrants in Almería, except for some distinguishing features among them, are quite similar to those of other studies. Dietary habits in some of the investigated groups, have a poor compliance with dietary recommendations based on the parameters of the Spanish Society of Community Nutrition.
Keywords:
body mass index; consumption; Descriptive Study; Feeding pattern; Immigration; research
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