International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
Volume 13, Issue 1, 2016

Systematic mapping review of the factors influencing dietary behaviour in ethnic minority groups living in Europe: A DEDIPAC study (Article) (Open Access)

Osei-Kwasi H.A. , Nicolaou M. , Powell K. , Terragni L. , Maes L. , Stronks K. , Lien N. , Holdsworth M.* , on behalf of the DEDIPAC consortium
  • a The University of Sheffield, Public Health Section, School of Health and Related Research-ScHARR, Sheffield, United Kingdom
  • b University of Amsterdam, Department of Public Health, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • c The University of Sheffield, Public Health Section, School of Health and Related Research-ScHARR, Sheffield, United Kingdom
  • d Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Faculty of Health Sciences, Oslo, Norway
  • e Ghent University, Department of Public Health, Ghent, Belgium
  • f University of Amsterdam, Department of Public Health, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • g University of Oslo, Department of Nutrition, Oslo, Norway
  • h The University of Sheffield, Public Health Section, School of Health and Related Research-ScHARR, Sheffield, United Kingdom
  • i [Affiliation not available]

Abstract

Background: Europe has a growing population of ethnic minority groups whose dietary behaviours are potentially of public health concern. To promote healthier diets, the factors driving dietary behaviours need to be understood. This review mapped the broad range of factors influencing dietary behaviour among ethnic minority groups living in Europe, in order to identify research gaps in the literature to guide future research. Methods: A systematic mapping review was conducted (protocol registered with PROSPERO 2014: CRD42014013549). Nine databases were searched for quantitative and qualitative primary research published between 1999 and 2014. Ethnic minority groups were defined as immigrants/populations of immigrant background from low and middle income countries, population groups from former Eastern Bloc countries and minority indigenous populations. In synthesizing the findings, all factors were sorted and structured into emerging clusters according to how they were seen to relate to each other. Results: Thirty-seven of 2965 studies met the inclusion criteria (n = 18 quantitative; n = 19 qualitative). Most studies were conducted in Northern Europe and were limited to specific European countries, and focused on a selected number of ethnic minority groups, predominantly among populations of South Asian origin. The 63 factors influencing dietary behaviour that emerged were sorted into seven clusters: social and cultural environment (16 factors), food beliefs and perceptions (11 factors), psychosocial (9 factors), social and material resources (5 factors), accessibility of food (10 factors), migration context (7 factors), and the body (5 factors). Conclusion: This review identified a broad range of factors and clusters influencing dietary behaviour among ethnic minority groups. Gaps in the literature identified a need for researchers to explore the underlying mechanisms that shape dietary behaviours, which can be gleaned from more holistic, systems-based studies exploring relationships between factors and clusters. The dominance of studies exploring 'differences' between ethnic minority groups and the majority population in terms of the socio-cultural environment and food beliefs suggests a need for research exploring 'similarities'. The evidence from this review will feed into developing a framework for the study of factors influencing dietary behaviours in ethnic minority groups in Europe. © 2016 The Author(s).

Author Keywords

Food habits Determinants immigrants Migrants Europe Factors Dietary behaviour ethnic minority groups diet

Index Keywords

perception immigrant scientist Europe quantitative study minority group human population group Asian continental ancestry group Ethnic Groups ethnic group data base diet feeding behavior Humans migrant Minority Groups Emigrants and Immigrants clinical article
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84979503426&doi=10.1186%2fs12966-016-0412-8&partnerID=40&md5=9e92de37bdc08fed1ec6988bed6d3ba3
DOI: 10.1186/s12966-016-0412-8
ISSN: 14795868
Cited by: 21
Original Language: English