Nutrient intake and factors influencing eating behaviours in older migrant women living in the UK

This study examines nutrient intake and factors influencing eating behaviors in a 4 sample of 76 migrant older women (≥60 years) living in the UK. Nutrient intake 5 was assessed using a single 24-hr recall enhanced by an in-depth probing dietary 6 interview. Median energy intake was significantly lower than the UK Reference 7 Nutrient Intakes (5125.4 v. 7301.1 kJ/d, p<0.001). Main nutrients of concern were retinol, vitamin D, magnesium, potassium, copper, selenium, and monounsaturated fatty acids. Additionally, semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sub-sample (n=46) and analyzed using an inductive thematic approach. Findings revealed that although women were knowledgeable about what constitutes a healthy diet, factors such as the presence and awareness of obesity and non-communicable diseases, changes to home environments and household roles, and dietary restrictions related to religious beliefs were identified as key influences on participants’ dietary intake. Future interventions for migrant older women from ethnically diverse background should consider the social component of cooking and eating, as well as food beliefs and traditions. In addition, strategies targeting this population with high rates of nutrition-related 19 non-communicable diseases need to promote not only a healthy energy balance, 20 but also dietary adequacy to optimize nutrient intake.