Considering the role of integration experiences in shaping immigrants’ post‐migration food choices and eating practices

Abstract

AbstractThis article draws on data collected from qualitative interviews with 38 recent immigrants in two Ontario cities to provide an overview of recent immigrants’ general dietary acculturation experiences. With insights from both Cockerham's health lifestyle theory and Berry's acculturation model, this article explores how structural inequalities related to integration and settlement may shape recent immigrants’ post‐migration food choices and eating practices. The results of this study revealed that immigrants from non‐Western countries experienced greater challenges in healthy eating. Findings are in line with Cockerham's health lifestyle theory: immigrants’ post‐migration food choices and dietary acculturation strategies were not only bounded by socioeconomic status and cultural differences but were also shaped by various structural inequalities, especially those related to systematic barriers during the integration and settlement process. Overall, this paper provides a more holistic understanding of the multifaceted nature of immigrants’ dietary acculturation experiences.