title: Dietary acculturation and increasing rates of obesity in Ethiopian women living in Israel.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Immigration from Third World countries to the developed world is characterized by modification of lifestyle and acculturation to local customs. This study investigated changes in nutritional status and eating behaviors in female Ethiopian immigrants in Israel.
  
  
  METHODS
  Personal interviews, two 24-h dietary recalls, and anthropometric measurements were carried out in a random sample of 53 women 32 ± 6 y of age.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After living in Israel for an average of 14 y, body mass index was similar to the general Israeli population, with 42% of participants with a body mass index greater than 24.9 kg/m², including 11% categorized as obese. This is in stark contrast to the body mass index measured at arrival in Israel (∼19-20 kg/m²). Less than optimal consumption of dietary fiber, calcium, folate, and B12 was documented. Analysis by food groups showed that intake of dairy products, fruits, and vegetables was negligible, whereas simple sugar intakes were high. The women continued to prepare traditional Ethiopian foods but also incorporated local, less healthy foods into their diets. Compared with the high energy expenditure in rural Ethiopia, participants reported minimal physical activity in Israel.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This immigrant community is at high risk for developing nutrition-related chronic diseases. Culturally sensitive nutrition education programs are urgently needed.
authors.affiliation: The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, Rehovot, Israel.
authors.forename: Hadas
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Regev-Tobias
authors.forename: Ram
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Reifen
authors.forename: Ronit
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Endevelt
authors.forename: Ofra
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Havkin
authors.forename: Erica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: Gila
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Stern
authors.forename: Aliza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stark
mesh_terms: D000069:Acculturation; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000208:ethnology; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology*; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult