[Dietary changes in Mexican women migrating to the U.S].
OBJECTIVE
To describe the dietary changes and processes involved in the incorporation of new foods, in Mexican women with a migratory experience to the U.S.


METHODS
A qualitative study was conducted, based on grounded theory, of women who had had a migratory experience and were residing in rural zones of the state of Morelos, Mexico. The data were obtained from 47 in-depth interviews carried out from February, 2005 to July, 2006.


RESULTS
The women's diet is modified by the migratory experience and the amount of consumption increases during their stay in the U.S. They continue cooking traditional Mexican meals but incorporate foods from their country of destination. These changes are favored by the greater purchasing power, work-related aspects and availability of products and spaces where food is sold.


CONCLUSIONS
We need to go deeper into the relationship between food and migration in the context of Mexico - U.S. - Mexico migration and its impact on women's health. We also need to propose public policies geared towards strengthening healthy habits.
Centro de Investigaciones en Sistemas de Salud, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, México. mareanas@insp.mx
Luz
L
Arenas-Monreal
Myriam
M
Ruiz-Rodríguez
Pastor
P
Bonilla-Fernández
Rosario
R
Valdez Santiago
Isabel
I
Hernández-Tezoquipa
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008800:Mexico / Q000208:ethnology; D008875:Middle Aged; D014171:Transients and Migrants; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult