Nutritional habits of asylum seekers living in communal accommodation in Stuttgart, Germany

Peer-reviewed / Manuscript received (original contribution): June 25, 2018 / Revision accepted: September 06, 2018

Introduction

According to statistics from the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), in 2015 and 2016, the number of people affected by forced displacement worldwide was higher than ever before—over 65 million [1]. In 2015 in Germany, the influx of 890,000 refugees caused major challenges. These included the housing of refugees and the provision of health care and food [2]. Although initial medical examinations are required by German federal law, these mainly serve to rule out infectious diseases [3]. Procedures according to international humanitarian standards [4, 5], including screening for and treatment of malnutrition and undernutrition, and the collection of information that is relevant to nutrition, are not routinely carried out in the context of the receiving country [6].

In general, there is insufficient data on the nutritional situation of asylum seekers in Germany. Therefore, this study, which was conducted at the communal accommodation facilities of Caritas Stuttgart, focused on the following questions: 

• What is the nutritional situation of adult asylum seekers, including particularly vulnerable groups?
• How does the dietary behavior of asylum seekers in Germany differ from their dietary behavior in their countries of origin? How should these differences, and the dietary acculturation processes that are taking place, be evaluated from a nutritional science perspective?

The aim of this explorative pilot study was to gather nutrition-related information for use in further investigations, with the aim of contributing to improved care for refugees.

Abstract

In an explorative, cross-sectional study conducted in spring 2016, the nutritional situation of 96 asylum seekers staying in Caritas Stuttgart communal accommodation was recorded. The study results, which were evaluated in a descriptive manner, showed reduced consumption of fish and meat, as well as an increased intake of fruit and sweetened beverages in about half of this sample population compared to their diet in their places of origin. Nutritional behavior was characterized both by efforts to maintain traditional dietary habits and by signs of dietary acculturation. It was found that overweight and obesity occurred frequently–especially among female study participants, that the average fat content of the diet was high while iron intake was insufficient. This highlights the need for nutritional screening, culturally-sensitive counseling, and programs to promote adequate maternal and child nutrition.

Keywords: asylum seekers, nutritional habits, nutritional status, children’s nutrition, mothers

Full text PDF (free access)