Original scientific paper
Acculturation Process and Its Effects on Dietary Habits, Nutritional Behavior and Body-Image in Adolescents
Lana Škreblin
Anita Sujoldžić
Abstract
Previous studies have indicated that the acculturation process may contribute to
psychosocial and health problems among immigrants through the mediation of acculturation
stress. This study focuses on adolescents with immigrant background permanently
settled in the Croatian region of Dalmatia and the influences of the acculturation process
on their dietary habits, nutritional behavior and perceived body-image. The survey was
conducted on the total sample of 510 adolescents (aged 14–19) including 52 first generation
and 248 second generation immigrants. The analysis included dietary habits and
questions of restrictive diet as indicators of unhealthy influence on physical health. Psychological
factors (stress and self-esteem) have been found to be associated with dietary
habits, diet behavior and dissatisfaction with body-image among adolescents with significant
differences by immigrant status. Immigrant status is viewed as a risk factor for psychological
distress and unhealthy dieting behavior. Research stresses the need to study
the interaction between acculturation and health not only from an individual perspective,
but also from the broader socio-ecological context of population subgroups.
Keywords
anthropology; acculturation process; nutrition; body-image; adolescents
Hrčak ID:
28195
URI
Publication date:
15.12.2003.
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