Food and Human Nutritional Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB.
Can J Diet Pract Res. 2021 Sep 1;82(3):100-106. doi: 10.3148/cjdpr-2021-006. Epub 2021 Apr 20.
Postsecondary students who move to a new country to continue their education experience a drastic shift in food landscape, often resulting in unhealthy dietary adaptations. This mixed-method study explored the eating experiences and dietary patterns of 30 international students attending a Canadian university. Data were collected through focus groups that were analyzed thematically and dietary records analyzed for compliance with Canada's Food Guide for Healthy Living (2007). Results showed that many participants want to maintain home country food traditions, yet their new independent living status and novel food environments led to changes in dietary habits. Limited food skills, busy schedules, reduced access to familiar foods, and fast-food environments contributed to unhealthy eating patterns. These perceptions were reflected in the high consumption of "other", less nutritious foods and low servings of fruits and vegetables, milk products and alternatives, and grain products. These findings show that international university students face dual challenges of transitioning into independent living without sufficient food skills and family supports, and exposure to unfamiliar and unhealthy food environments. Resources need to be developed for newly enrolled international students that emphasize food awareness, food skills, and healthy eating habits.
来到新国家继续学业的大学生，其饮食环境会发生巨大变化，往往导致不健康的饮食适应。本混合方法研究探索了 30 名在加拿大大学就读的国际学生的饮食体验和模式。通过焦点小组收集数据，采用主题分析，并分析饮食记录以遵守加拿大《健康生活食物指南》（2007 年）。结果表明，许多参与者希望保持祖国的饮食传统，但他们新的独立生活状态和新的食物环境导致饮食习惯发生变化。有限的烹饪技能、忙碌的日程安排、减少熟悉食物的获取以及快餐环境导致了不健康的饮食模式。这些看法反映在“其他”、营养较少的食物以及水果和蔬菜、奶制品和替代品以及谷物制品的低摄入量上。这些发现表明，国际大学生面临着双重挑战，即缺乏足够的烹饪技能和家庭支持而过渡到独立生活，以及接触不熟悉和不健康的食物环境。需要为新入学的国际学生开发资源，强调食物意识、烹饪技能和健康饮食习惯。
