Post-migration food habits of New Zealand South Asian migrants: Implications for health promotion practice

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TL;DR

This study of 112 South Asian migrants in New Zealand found that post-migration dietary changes include both healthy (increased fruit and low-fat milk) and unhealthy (decreased green leafy vegetables and lentils; increased meat, cheese, ice cream, and alcohol) shifts, with many changes occurring within the first five years of residence. Over half of participants were obese using ethnic-specific BMI criteria, and BMI increased significantly with longer duration of residence. These findings highlight the first five years post-migration as a critical window for targeted health promotion interventions to prevent diet-related chronic disease in this population.

Full summary

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**Background:** South Asian migrants in Western countries are at elevated risk for diet-related chronic diseases, partly due to dietary acculturation—the adoption of host country food habits. Understanding which foods change and when these changes occur post-migration is critical for designing targeted health promotion, yet such studies are sparse. This study aimed to describe post-migration changes in food consumption among South Asian migrants in New Zealand (NZ), accounting for nutrition transition already occurring in source countries, and to examine differences by sex and duration of residence.

**Methods:** Data were collected from a convenience sample of 150 South Asian adults (aged 25–59, able to communicate in English) recruited via respondent-driven sampling in Auckland and Dunedin, NZ. Exclusion criteria included existing disease conditions requiring modified diets (e.g., type 2 diabetes, coeliac disease). Of 150 recruited, 112 (75%) completed the self-administered questionnaire. Participants reported demographics, dietary habits, and frequency of consumption of 30 food items using an 8-point scale (0=Never to 7=Daily), separately for 'New Zealand' and 'Back home.' Duration of residence was categorized as ≤5 years, 6–10 years, and >10 years. BMI was calculated from self-reported height and weight and classified using WHO ethnic-specific cutoffs. Paired t-tests assessed frequency changes by sex and duration of residence.

**Key Results:** Mean age was 36 (SD 7.5) years; 59% were female; 58% had lived in NZ ≤5 years; 68% were from India; 86% had tertiary qualifications. Only 47% met fruit guidelines (2+/day) and 28% met vegetable guidelines (3+/day); a significant sex difference was observed for vegetables (15% of males vs. 36% of females, P=0.011). Using ethnic-specific BMI criteria, 23% were overweight and 57% were obese; mean BMI increased progressively with duration of residence (≤5 years: 24.9 kg/m²; 6–10 years: 26.0 kg/m²; >10 years: 27.8 kg/m²; P=0.025).

Post-migration, fruit consumption increased significantly for both sexes (males: mean difference +1.46, P=0.000; females: +1.32, P=0.000) and across all duration categories. Green leafy vegetable consumption decreased significantly in females (−0.46, P=0.007) and in those residing ≤5 years (−0.71, P=0.001). Traditional breakfast consumption decreased while breakfast cereals increased (both sexes, all durations, P=0.000). Low-fat milk, cheese, ice cream, and margarine consumption increased; ghee consumption decreased (both sexes, P<0.05). Low-fat milk increased only in those residing >5 years. Meat, processed meat, and chicken consumption increased while fish and lentils decreased (both sexes, P<0.05). Lentil consumption decreased significantly only in those residing ≤10 years. Traditional sweets and savouries decreased; potato chips increased (both sexes, P<0.05). Cakes and pastries increased only in females (+0.65, P=0.001). Alcohol consumption increased significantly in males (+0.38, P=0.006) and in those residing >5 years. Twenty-eight percent consumed takeaways weekly or more often, with 42% of these choosing European foods (pizza, pasta, fried chicken). One in five consumed festival foods weekly or more often.

**Clinical Implications:** The first five years post-migration represent a critical window for intervention. Health promotion should target increasing vegetable and fruit intake, promoting low-fat dairy options, maintaining lentil consumption, and reducing high-fat/sugar snacks, takeaways, and festival foods. For established migrants (>5 years), interventions addressing alcohol consumption are warranted. The increased fruit consumption with longer residence is encouraging and suggests potential for building on existing positive dietary shifts. The high prevalence of obesity (57%) and its linear association with duration of residence underscore the urgency of culturally tailored dietary interventions. Limitations include small sample size, exclusion of non-English speakers, self-reported dietary data and anthropometrics, and potential recall bias for pre-migration diet.