Alakaam Amir, Willyard Amanda
Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN, USA.
Department of Education, Health, and Behavior Studies, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, USA.
AIMS Public Health. 2020 Apr 27;7(2):228-240. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2020020. eCollection 2020.
Although the United States rates as the top host country for international students in the world, the impact of dietary acculturation on their health status is poorly understood. This study used a qualitative approach to gain an in-depth understanding of the factors related to dietary acculturation among international students in U.S. universities. Ten focus groups, of which eight were in two Midwestern U.S. universities and two in a Southern U.S. university (n = 44), were studied. Participants were international, college-aged students enrolled in U.S. universities. Grounded theory method was used for data analysis to develop themes relevant to dietary changes and factors related to dietary acculturation based on the participants' perspectives and experiences. The results showed that most of the participants faced various dietary challenges and health consequences in the United States. Access to food, religious orientation, time constraints, campus environment, and healthcare access were the main factors influencing student diets. A majority of the students reported weight gain due to eating larger portions, unstructured mealtimes, and frequent snacking. Some students reported that they do not eat fruits and vegetables in the United States because they believe that these foods are not fresh, genetically modified, and may contain pesticides. The majority of participants reported taking unprescribed dietary supplements since moving to the United States. Students who transitioned to the typical American diet reported weight gain, increased fatigue, abdominal discomfort, and other health consequences. Universities should seek to develop policies and programs aimed to reduce the impact of acculturation in order to improve the experience of international students in the United States.
尽管美国是世界上接纳国际学生最多的东道国，但饮食文化适应对他们健康状况的影响却鲜为人知。本研究采用定性研究方法，深入了解美国大学国际学生饮食文化适应的相关因素。研究了10个焦点小组，其中8个在两所美国中西部大学，2个在美国南部一所大学（n = 44）。参与者是在美国大学就读的国际大学生。采用扎根理论方法进行数据分析，根据参与者的观点和经历，得出与饮食变化及饮食文化适应相关因素的主题。结果显示，大多数参与者在美国面临各种饮食挑战和健康问题。食物获取、宗教信仰、时间限制、校园环境和医疗保健获取是影响学生饮食的主要因素。大多数学生报告称，由于食量增加、用餐时间不规律和频繁吃零食，体重有所增加。一些学生表示，他们在美国不吃水果和蔬菜，因为他们认为这些食物不新鲜、是转基因的，可能还含有农药。大多数参与者报告称，自搬到美国以来，他们一直在服用非处方膳食补充剂。转向典型美国饮食的学生报告出现体重增加、疲劳加剧、腹部不适及其他健康问题。大学应设法制定政策和计划，以减少文化适应的影响，从而改善国际学生在美国的体验。
