Retaining Traditional Dietary Practices among Greek Immigrants to Australia: The Role of Ethnic Identity

This article explores why some Greek immigrants to Australia continue to adhere to a traditional Mediterranean diet whereas others have adopted eating behaviors characteristic of a less healthy "Australian" diet. Twelve qualitative interviews were conducted and comparisons made between ind...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ecology of food and nutrition 2017-07, Vol.56 (4), p.312-328
Main Authors: Pillen, Heath, Tsourtos, George, Coveney, John, Thodis, Antonia, Itsiopoulos, Catherine, Kouris-Blazos, Antigone
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acculturation
Adult
Australia - ethnology
Cultural identity
Diet
Diet, Mediterranean
Eating behavior
Emigrants and Immigrants
emigration and immigration
Ethnic Groups
ethnic identity
Feeding Behavior - ethnology
Female
Greece - ethnology
Humans
Immigrants
Maintenance
Male
Mediterranean diet
qualitative research
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Summary:This article explores why some Greek immigrants to Australia continue to adhere to a traditional Mediterranean diet whereas others have adopted eating behaviors characteristic of a less healthy "Australian" diet. Twelve qualitative interviews were conducted and comparisons made between individuals consuming more (n = 6) and less traditional diets (n = 6). The level of adherence to the diet was previously assessed by a diet score in a separate quantitative study (MEDIS-Australia) from which the subset of 12 participants for the present study was recruited. Analysis revealed that maintenance of a strong ethnic identity offers a pathway through which individuals retain dietary practices of their homeland.
ISSN:0367-0244
1543-5237
DOI:10.1080/03670244.2017.1333000