Choice of food and food traditions in pre-war Bosnia-Herzegovina: focus group interviews with immigrant women in Sweden.
OBJECTIVE
Immigrants in Sweden have on average poorer health than native Swedes, including the risk of nutritional problems. In Sweden's multicultural society there is a need for increased knowledge about eating habits in public health work within health and education. A survey of refugees from Bosnia-Herzegovina living in Sweden was undertaken to describe the choice of food and food traditions in pre-war Bosnia. The purpose was to introduce the subject of food, health and migration into public health work and develop culture-adapted food and health advice.


METHODS
Focus-group interviews were undertaken with a total of 20 women refugees from Bosnia-Herzegovina.


RESULTS
Qualitative data analysis identified a large consumption of bread as a staple food with meat, vegetables, milk, cheese, legumes, egg and fish as additions. Self-sufficiency was noted with milk souring, jam making and the production of sweet fruit drinks. Home made cheese and drying or smoking of meat were common methods of food storage. In child rearing, breast-feeding for 6-8 months was most common. Home made breast milk replacements were made from semolina, rice and 'petit biscuits'.


CONCLUSIONS
Several important factors need to be taken into account when giving culturally adapted food and health advice to Bosnian families, such as encouraging bread, vegetable and legume consumption and giving advice on substituting sweet fruit drinks for natural fruit. One should be conscious of how religious beliefs as well as socio-cultural, historical, ecological, economical and psychological influences may guide food choices.
Jonsson
Inger M
IM
Department of Community Medicine and Public Health, Orebro County Council, Sweden. inger.jonsson@rhs.oru.se
Wallin
Anne-Marie
AM
Hallberg
Lillemor R-M
LR
Gustafsson
Inga-Britt
IB
D017522:Bosnia and Herzegovina / Q000208:ethnology; D003469:Culture; D004032:Diet; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D005518:Food Preferences; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D013548:Sweden; D014857:Warfare