Abstract

Background Acculturation stress may influence the development of abnormal eating behaviors. However, some mental health indicators, such as ethnic identity, may have a protective effect on this relationship. This study's main objective is to analyze the mediating effect of ethnic identity on the relationship between acculturation stress and abnormal eating behaviors in Colombian migrants living in Chile. Methods We obtained data on 976 Colombian migrants who were recruited with the help of the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Colombian Consulate in Chile, and self-managed groups of migrants residing in Chile. The mediation model was analyzed using Mplus 8.2 software, using the robust weighted least squares (WLSMV) estimation method. Results The most common abnormal eating behaviors were eating until you feel full and eating large amounts of food. The mediation model was adapted to the data. The effects indicate that ethnic identity only had an indirect effect on the problems of social relations with other migrants (indirect effect = .17, p = .01) and on the distance from the origin (indirect effect = -. 06, p = .01) on the abnormal eating behaviors. On the other hand, the ethnic identity presented a direct and indirect effect on the relationship between citizenship and legality problems, and abnormal behaviors (indirect effect = -.06, p = .04; direct effect = -.35, p = .01). Discussion Ethnic identity could be fundamental in the relationship between acculturation stress and abnormal eating behaviors, considering that post-migration eating practices are associated with unhealthy eating habits.