Ahmad Ali M. Alhazmi , Mabrouk AL-Rasheedi , Dina Hamdy Selim , Faten M. Alrwili , Yasir Alhazmi

Abstract

Dietary acculturation is the term used to describe the adoption by a group of people of the eating patterns associated with a new environment. Dietary transition in minority populations can refer both to migrants arriving and acculturating in a new country, and to indigenous ethnic minority groups within a society undergoing acculturation. This study aimed to identify and measure the impact of dietary acculturation on weight changes amongst Saudi students in Glasgow. An observational study method was adopted wherein a face-to-face questionnaire was used to gather data from participants. In total, 42 participants were recruited and divided into two groups, namely: Saudi students who were residents in Glasgow for more than one year (n=25), and Saudi students who were residents in Glasgow for less than 3 months. The majority of students in both groups reported their weight had increased since they arrived in Glasgow, although there was a slight difference between the two groups (>one-year and <3 months). The major differences were that the intake of low-fat dairy products was higher in the >one-year group than in the <3 months group [semi-skimmed milk (P=0.012) and skimmed milk (P= 0.003)], and the intake of brown bread and cereals was higher in the >one-year group than in the <3 months group (P=0.047). The risk of diet-related obesity in the >one-year group was lower than in <3 months group. Hence, this study offers valuable descriptions and measurements of the dietary habits of Saudi students in Glasgow.

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