Asylum seekers dispersed to Salford, UK experienced massive changes in their eating patterns, eating only one meal per day initially instead of eating communally with their extended families. They experienced weight loss of up to 14 kg and had difficulty recognizing unfamiliar UK foods. They understood the importance of fresh fruits and vegetables but had difficulty accessing them.

2. Within US : Highest obesity rates while
40m on food stamps

3. Changes in Eating Patterns of Asylum
Seekers Dispersed to Salford
• Massive changes in eating patterns were universal,
with most participants eating only one meal a day in
the early stages of their exile in Salford. The culture in
most refugee producing countries is sociocentric, in
contrast to the egocentric culture of the West. Food is
cooked by the women of the family and is eaten, often
from a communal dish, by the whole extended family
together, an exercise in sharing and an opportunity to
discuss problems. In the UK, asylum seekers are
obliged by circumstance to eat alone, or with strangers,
a daily reminder of all that they have lost in terms of
family, community, warmth and support.
• Weight loss was common, often as much as 14 kgs.

4. • Several participants expressed dismay at the poor
quality of food available in Salford, in particular the
difficulty in finding fresh fruit and vegetables. They
also expressed concern about genetic modification and
the amount of chemicals and hormones in UK food.
• Participants had difficulty in recognising food eg. cuts
of meat, unfamiliar vegetables, unreadable tins and
packets. Tinned and frozen food, and pre-prepared
food, was an unfamiliar concept to people who were
used to preparing food from fresh ingredients.
• Participants understood the need to eat fresh fruit and
vegetables, and were prepared to travel to buy these.

5. Supermarkets
• Tesco now controls over 30% of the grocery
market in the UK. In 2011, the supermarket
chain announced profits of £3.4bn.

6. Young People’s views – nutrition and
exercise
• Balding, 2005: decline with age in most activities
except 5-a-side
football, basketball, soccer, weight
training, walking
• Balding, 2007: >50% girls would like to lose
weight But only 12% overweight using weight and
height data
• 25% of girls age 10-11 think they have been
bullied because of the way they look
• PHC study of adolescents, RCT approx one
quarter want to discuss body shape / diet (Walker
et al 2002