Changes in food habits among Farsi and Dari speaking immigrant women in British Columbia, Canada

Changes in dietary habits due to international migration have been associated with chronic diseases including obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus in immigrant populations. Four focus groups (n= 20) were conducted with the objective to provide information on food habit changes and the influencing factors on such changes in Farsi and Dari-speaking immigrant women after migration from their home countries to British Columbia, Canada .The findings of this study show that women believe that a variety of factors have led to changes in their dietary patterns. Major factors for change were children’s preference, work schedules, social relations, stress, weight concerns, digestion problems, food insecurity, taste, and positive culinary influence from different cultures in Canada.