LEEDS, England, May 7, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- Immigrant populations in Europe
face an increased risk of diet-related diseases as they adjust to a "Western"
lifestyle, scientists in Britain said.
The study, published in the journal Nutrition Reviews, found immigrant
populations replace the healthy components of their native diet with the worst
aspects of Western diets, such as processed and fast-foods.
Dr. Santosh Khokhar of the University of Leeds examined changes to the diets of
African-Caribbeans, Chinese, Mexicans, Moroccans, Surinamese, South Asians and
Turks living in Europe.
The study found ethnic groups with low incomes had the most restricted food
choice, as the foods of their traditional diet had to be imported, which was
more expensive. In comparison, the availability of the unhealthiest Western food
was very high and also low cost.
"The inclusion of snack foods such as french fries, chips and cakes leads to
ethnic populations having higher levels of fat, salt and sugar in their diet,"
Khokhar said in a statement.
Khokhar added that groups in lower socioeconomic communities "often eat poorer
quality foods, such as cheaper cuts of meat with more fat. They also tend to buy
less fruits and vegetables and they consume more processed foods."
URL: www.upi.com
Copyright 2009 by United Press International