Effects of Immigration on Dietary Habits and Physical Activity Patterns among Turkish FamiliesBy Kaan Karahan

Objective• To analyze consequences of immigration and the

extent to which immigrants adopt or conserve:– Dietary habits– Physical activity patterns

Methodology

Desk research

In-home interview

Pantry check Shopping trip• 6 Turkish families (2 living in Turkey, 2 in Switzerland, 2 in United States)• Upper/middle class• Families with children• University educated• Moved for work or for higher education

• Turkey’s main food products, imports and exports•Dietary and physical activity habits of three countries of focus•Most information found on government websites and WHO websites

Qualitative Research

Methodology Continued

• In home interview was designed to understand 8 topics of interest:– Members of the household– Daily life of the family– Shopping habits of the primary shopper– Cooking habits– Eating habits of the family– Food storing habits– Foods consumed during special days (holidays)– Health and well-being (includes physical activity)

Turkey’s main food productsWhat is produced and imported for consumption the most

Turkey: Significant supplier of fruits and vegetables in the world

Grape Apple Orange Olive Tea Hazel Nut0

50000010000001500000200000025000003000000350000040000004500000

Figure 1: Production of Main Fruits, Beverage and Spice Crops (Unit: Tons)

Tomato

es

Potat

oes

Cucum

bers

Melon

Water m

elon

Onion (

dry)

2 000 000 4 000 000 6 000 000 8 000 000

10 000 000 12 000 000 14 000 000

Figure 2: Vegetable Production (Unit: Tons)

#3

#6

#1

#4

Turkey: Meat and Wheat are the top imported products

28.0%

11.0%11.0%

9.8%

5.5%

5.3%

3.6%3.2%

2.2%2.1%

BovinePoultry MeatButterNon-Fillet Frozen FishCheeseNon-Fillet Fresh FishFish FilletsEggsPoultryMollusks

23.0%

13.0%

9.7%

7.9%

7.6%

5.2%

4.9%

3.8%3.3% 2.2%

WheatSoybeansCornSunflower SeedsDried LegumesOther NutsOther Oily SeedsBananasRice Coffee

Animal products Grain products

Turkish, Swiss and American ComparisonGeneral eating habits and basic health & nutrition facts

The Turkish DietBreakfast Lunch Dinner

Snack

The Swiss DietBreakfast Lunch

DinnerSnack

The American Diet

Western Prudent

Breakfast

Lunch & Dinner

Turkey/Switzerland/Unites States Basic ComparisonTurkish Swiss American

VegetablesCarbohydratesMeat productsSugarFat

Diet High in:

Diet Low in: DairyAlcohol

Life expectancy:

VegetablesCarbohydratesMeat productsDairyFatAlcohol

Sugar

CarbohydratesMeat productsSugarDairyFat

Vegetables

Avg. calories consumed a day:

Physical activity: Sedentary to light

Sedentary to lightModerate to vigorous

Food preparation: From fresh From fresh From processed

75 7983

3480

3420

3770

Effects of immigrationHow Turkish families adapted in Switzerland and in the United States

Immigration from Turkey to SwitzerlandFirst impressions:

More travelling by public transportation, more sports activities across all ages, more cheese, wine, chocolate and more organic, non-processed food.

Immigration from Turkey to United StatesFirst impressions:

More commuting by car, children in organized sports activities, participation in American holidays, eatertainment and higher exposure to processed, fast foods.

Three Stages of Immigrant Families’ Adaptation

• Comparison

• Discovery

• Adoption

Immigrant Families’ Stages of Adaptation: Comparison

• Occurs during initial exposure to new country of residence

• Major learning experience in all aspects of life• Families look for familiar ingredients • Often try substituting if new tastes are not

satisfactory• May lead to frustration if look and taste of new

products are not satisfying• May result in limiting menus to few dishes

Immigrant Families’ Stages of Adaptation: Discovery

• Trial of new products/recommendations of friends lead to new experiences and tastes

• A liking is developed towards new substitutes• Positive aspects and good tastes of the

environment are discovered• New discoveries help diversify menus and enable

families to feel more comfortable• Families also make discoveries about sports

facilities and activity options

Immigrant Families’ Stages of Adaptation: Adoption

• Immigrants have developed a good understanding of:– New culture– Life style– Products available to them

• Choices are made and new routines are established

• Certain elements of old lifestyle are also retained• A hybrid model of living is established

How families adapted in the end, diet:

Switzerland Turkey United States

1 Less Cereal, grains More

2 More Vegetables, fruits Less

3 Same Animal products (meat, poultry) More

4 Less Fishery Less

5 More Dairy More

6 More Alcoholic beverages Same

7 Less Processed food More

How families adapted in the end, physical activity:

  Switzerland Turkey USA

Adults Moderate activity Sedentary or light activity Sedentary

Children Vigorous activity Moderate activity Vigorous activity

Limitations• A convenience sample was used• Study did not take into account regional

differences among participants• Participants responses during the interviews were

self reported • Richer data could have been generated if the

researcher could have lived among the participants for a limited amount of time

• The researcher is also an immigrant