Dietary behaviors and acculturation in South Asian college students

Abstract

ObjectiveTo determine whether the degree of acculturation is associated with dietary behaviors and body mass index (BMI) in first‐generation South Asian college students.MethodA cross‐sectional online survey assessed acculturation level, dietary behaviors, and BMI of 204 South Asian students at Queens College.ResultsMean age was 21 y (2.9) and mean BMI was 22.7 (4.1). Mean (SD) acculturation was 3.57 (0.62) on a scale of 1–5, 61% of the sample preferred South Asian food at home, while 30% preferred it at restaurants. The degree of acculturation was not significantly associated with BMI or dietary behaviors assessed in this sample. There was, however, a high prevalence of obesogenic dietary behaviors. Fast food was consumed at least 3 times a week by 40% of the students. Sweetened beverages were consumed by 53% and fried snacks by 50% at least 4–6 times a week; fats (butter, ghee, cream) were added to food at the table at least sometimes by 56%; and only a third (34%) of the participants always chose low fat type for dairy products. Furthermore, a majority of the students (64%) indicated that there are too many nutrition recommendations making it hard to know what to believe and 33% did not know which menu items in a restaurant have more/less fat.ConclusionAll South Asian college students may benefit from nutrition education regardless of the acculturation level.