Physiology and Behavior
Volume 134, Issue C, 2014, Pages 76-85

Using a biocultural approach to examine migration/globalization, diet quality, and energy balance (Article)

Himmelgreen D.A.* , Cantor A. , Arias S. , Romero Daza N.
  • a Department of Anthropology, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave, SOC 107, Tampa, FL 33620, United States
  • b Department of Anthropology, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave, SOC 107, Tampa, FL 33620, United States
  • c Department of Anthropology, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave, SOC 107, Tampa, FL 33620, United States
  • d Department of Anthropology, University of South Florida, 4202 E. Fowler Ave, SOC 107, Tampa, FL 33620, United States

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to examine the role and impact that globalization and migration (e.g., intra-/intercontinental, urban/rural, and circular) have had on diet patterns, diet quality, and energy balance as reported on in the literature during the last 20. years. Published literature from the fields of anthropology, public health, nutrition, and other disciplines (e.g., economics) was collected and reviewed. In addition, case studies from the authors' own research are presented in order to elaborate on key points and dietary trends identified in the literature. While this review is not intended to be comprehensive, the findings suggest that the effects of migration and globalization on diet quality and energy balance are neither lineal nor direct, and that the role of social and physical environments, culture, social organization, and technology must be taken into account to better understand this relationship. Moreover, concepts such as acculturation and the nutrition transition do not necessarily explain or adequately describe all of the global processes that shape diet quality and energy balance. Theories from nutritional anthropology and critical bio-cultural medical anthropology are used to tease out some of these complex interrelationships. © 2014.

Author Keywords

Migration/globalization Bio-cultural synthesis Dietary acculturation Nutrition transition Diet quality Energy balance

Index Keywords

Internationality diet Models, Psychological international cooperation psychological model cultural factor physiology nutritional status energy metabolism human Humans psychology Cross-Cultural Comparison
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84893179535&doi=10.1016%2fj.physbeh.2013.12.012&partnerID=40&md5=71fa105b96053904f74e81bb34db4a3f
DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2013.12.012
ISSN: 00319384
Cited by: 13
Original Language: English