Food deprivation, nutrition knowledge, and dietary practices among Cambodian refugee women in Lowell, MA

Cambodian refugees in the U.S. have high rates of chronic disease. This may be partially due to trauma and hardship, including lack of food, prior to coming to the U.S. Additionally, the U.S. environment presents Cambodian refugees with highly available and affordable. Most immigrant groups change dietary behaviors with time in the U.S., and many of the changes may lead to increased risk for chronic disease. Dietary practices of Cambodian refugees are not well documented.;This thesis collected and analyzed information on past food experiences and current food beliefs, nutrition knowledge, and dietary practices among Cambodian refugee women in Lowell, MA, the second largest Cambodian community in the U.S. Two sets of focus groups were conducted to gather preliminary data on food practices (n=11) and past food experiences (n=11) and to aid in survey development. A survey was developed and administered to 160 women ages 35-60 years old.;Prior to coming to the U.S., participants experienced severe food deprivation and food insecurity. Those with higher past food deprivation levels were more likely to report currently eating meat with fat and to be overweight/obese.;Acculturation, education, and having attended a nutrition education class were positively related to higher knowledge of the connection between food and health.;Higher education, higher acculturation, and having attended a nutrition education class were positively related to some healthful dietary practices. Having a child under 18 years old at home was positively related to some less healthful dietary practices.;Past food deprivation combined with availability and affordability of preferred foods in the U.S. may put Cambodian refugees at risk for consumption of less healthful foods and overweight/obesity. Interrupted education has left many older adults at risk for low nutrition knowledge and less healthful dietary practices. Acculturation may provide access to information that encourages more healthful behaviors. Having a child at home may put adults and children at risk for less healthful eating practices. Targeted nutrition education may improve eating practices in this at risk population. Other refugee populations with similar backgrounds may also benefit from this research.