Durgeshwori Munankarmi
Nutrition Society, UK
Title: Food and nutrient intake of recent immigrants in Sheffield
Biography
Biography: Durgeshwori Munankarmi
Abstract
Background: Refugee and asylum seekers are not a new situation in UK, as there have always been episodes of migration to Britain. The movement of populations from developing countries and across Europe is increasingly a topic for health and nutrition research, yet scant attention has been paid to assessment of health and nutrition among the wide diversity of immigrant groups recently arriving in the UK.
Aim: The main aim of this study is to explore Sheffield refugees’ experience of food poverty and to assess the level of adequacy of their diet.
Methods: In this cross sectional survey, 50 refugee or asylum seekers accessing two charitable services in Sheffield, UK were interviewed. A semi structured questionnaire was used to gather data about demography, health and life style, eating habit, multiple pass 24 hour recall was used to find out the food intake.
Results: Total energy intake for all age group and each sex was significantly lower than the estimated average requirement in study population. Intake of all micronutrient was below the reference nutrient intake. Consumption of fruit and vegetable was very low. Financial constraint was the most common cause of not having balanced diet.
Conclusion: This study reveals the risk of dietary inadequacy in refugee and asylum seekers. This study group is in risk of malnutrition and poor health related to diet. Future concerns should be towards understanding their nutrient intake and improving it.