Perceptions of the host country's food culture among female immigrants from Africa and Asia: aspects relevant for cultural sensitivity in nutrition communication.
OBJECTIVE
To explore how female immigrants from Africa and Asia perceive the host country's food culture, to identify aspects of their original food culture they considered important to preserve, and to describe how they go about preserving them.


METHODS
Qualitative in-depth interviews.


METHODS
Oslo, Norway.


METHODS
Twenty one female immigrants from 11 African and Asian countries, residing in areas of Oslo with a population having a low-to-middle socioeconomic status and a high proportion of immigrants. Participants varied in years of residence, employment status, and marital status.


METHODS
Analysis of the interviews was guided by a phenomenological approach.


RESULTS
Participants emphasized the importance of preserving aspects of their original food cultures and related these aspects to taste, preparation effort and method, and adherence to religious dietary rules. They often perceived the food of the host country as "tasteless and boring." The authors observed strict, flexible, or limited continuity with the original food culture. Some elements that possibly influenced participants' degree of continuity are indicated.


CONCLUSIONS
Immigrants may strive to preserve aspects of their original food culture after immigration. Nutrition communication becomes more culturally sensitive when it takes such aspects into account.
Department of Health, Nutrition and Management, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Oslo, Norway. lisa.garnweidner@hioa.no
Lisa Maria
LM
Garnweidner
Laura
L
Terragni
Kjell Sverre
KS
Pettersen
Annhild
A
Mosdøl
D000328:Adult; D000349:Africa / Q000208:ethnology; D001208:Asia / Q000208:ethnology; D003142:Communication; D054521:Cultural Competency; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D010465:Perception