Food Practices, Changes, Preferences, and Acculturation of Thais in the United States

This study investigated food practices, changes, preferences, and acculturation of Thais in the United States. A questionnaire was mailed to a convenience sample of 182 individuals who were born in Thailand, had lived in the United States for at least 3 months, were age 18 years or older, and had agreed to participate; 102 (56%) completed questionnaires were returned by 62 university students and 40 residents from five states. While living in the United States, the number of meals consumed per day decreased significantly and snacks and food eaten out changed from Thai to American. Of 111 foods listed on the questionnaire, consumption frequency decreased significantly for 29 Thai foods and increased significantly for 33 American foods and total milk food group. Food group mean daily consumption frequencies while living in the United States were 3.5 bread; 3.8 vegetables; 2.2 fruits; 3.6 meat; 1.6 milk; 3.9 fats, oils, and sweets; 2.2 beverages; and 0.9 Thai mixed dishes. Most foods were liked (91 of 111; mean 5.5 or higher on a 9-point hedonic scale). Consumption frequency and liking were significantly positively related for 77 foods. Acculturation (mean 2.6, 1 to 5 scale) was significantly positively related to consumption and liking of some American foods and significantly negatively related to consumption and liking of some Thai foods. This information can be used by dietetics professionals in nutrition education for a Thai population.