Change in Food Consumption and Food Choice Determinants among East Asian International Students in New York

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study describes East Asian international students’ changes in food consumption since coming to the US, and reasons for the changes. The results of this cross-sectional study from four campuses in the New York area show that after coming to the US, they ate/drank more processed food, water, raw vegetables, meat, dairy, and other Asian foods, and ate fewer cooked vegetables and foods from their home countries. The main reasons were their concerns about health, weight, availability, convenience, taste, and price. The least chosen reasons were related to concerns about food sustainability issues. Future research should focus on conducting qualitative studies to better understand nuances in international students’ food choice concerns and motivations.