Evaluation of food and health of Brazilians living in Bournemouth, England – migration influences

Abstract

PurposeThis paper aimed to characterize the nutrition and health of Brazilians living in Bournemouth, England, and changes in lifestyle after migration.Design/methodology/approachThis is a descriptive study conducted with adult residents of Bournemouth for over a year, selected through a snowball sample. We obtained demographic and food data through a structured questionnaire. An anthropometric evaluation gathered weight, height and waist circumference data.FindingsThe final sample consisted of 111 immigrants, 57.7 percent female, with a mean age of 33.02 (±9.58) years. We found evidence that despite the existence of the health immigrant effect, health and nutritional benefits in immigrants erode over time. They reported weight gain post migration, and changes in diet, with increased consumption of food rich in calories and low in nutrients. We found a high proportion of obesity and risk of metabolic complications, which increased with time living in England because of reduced physical activity and worsening dietary habits.Originality/valueThe number of people migrating to other countries has been increasing, resulting in interference in the processes of integration and acculturation of lifestyle, including those related to diet and physical activity. But there is little about its impact on Brazilians living abroad. This study showed that health behaviors of migrants were negatively altered by migration.