Influence of acculturation among Tunisian migrants in France and their past/present exposure to the home country on diet and physical activity.
OBJECTIVE
To study how dietary patterns and physical activity vary with acculturation and with past and current exposure to socio-cultural norms of the home country among Tunisian migrants.


METHODS
A retrospective cohort study was conducted using quota sampling (n 150) based on age and residence. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated FFQ. Physical activity level and dietary aspects were compared according to length of residence (acculturation), age at migration (past exposure) and social ties with the home country (current exposure).


METHODS
Tunisian migrant men residing in the South of France.


RESULTS
Migrants who had lived in France for more than 9 years had a higher percentage contribution of meat to energy intake (P = 0.04), a higher Na intake (P = 0.04), a lower percentage contribution of sugar and sweets (P = 0.04) and a lower percentage of carbohydrates (P = 0.03) than short-term migrants. Men who migrated before 21 years of age had a higher Na intake than 'late' migrants (P = 0.02). Men who had distant social ties with Tunisia had a lower physical activity level (P = 0.01) whereas men who had close ties had a higher percentage of fat (P = 0.01) and a higher ratio of MUFA to SFA (P = 0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
Acculturation led to a convergence of some characteristics to those of the host population, while some results (meat and salt consumption) were at variance with other acculturation studies. Past and current exposure to the home country helped maintain some positive aspects of the diet. Nevertheless, present dietary changes in Tunisia could soon lessen these features.
Méjean
Caroline
C
Nutrition Unit, UR106 (Nutrition, Alimentation, Sociétés), Institut de Recherche pour le Développment, BP 64501, F-34394 Montpellier, France.
Traissac
Pierre
P
Eymard-Duvernay
Sabrina
S
Delpeuch
Francis
F
Maire
Bernard
B
D000069:Acculturation; D017677:Age Distribution; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000208:ethnology; D004034:Diet Surveys; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012923:Social Class; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014171:Transients and Migrants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014416:Tunisia / Q000208:ethnology