The food habits of Black older adults in New York City: are there differences between African Americans and Caribbean-born immigrants?

The purpose of this pilot study was to gather data from urban-dwelling African-American and Caribbean-born elders in order to explore their normal food habits, awareness about nutrition, influence of personal health conditions on food habits, and receipt of specific practitioner-initiated personalized nutrition intervention. A series of four focus groups were conducted among 50 Black elders, 36 of whom were African Americans and 14 of whom were Caribbean immigrants. Sessions were audio taped and transcribed. Transcripts were analyzed using ATLAS.ti software. Some elders from both subgroups have maintained lifelong cultural food habits regardless of personal health challenges. It was evident that there were differences in food habits, and health beliefs between the subgroups. Also, a larger percentage of African Americans received individualized intervention from their health practitioners primarily because of exacerbated personal health conditions. Those elders reporting no personal episodic health conditions also reported that they had not received separate and specific practitioner-initiated personalized nutrition intervention. Practice and policy implications were discussed urging attention to differences; a greater need for personalized nutrition interventions; removal of barriers to primary care nutrition coverage.