Abstract

Introduction: Migration has been associated with increased consumption of energy-dense foods and weight gain. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between global food quality and food acculturation strategies in Colombian migrants living in Chile. Methodology: Non-experimental, descriptive, and correlational study. The total sample consisted of 258 Colombian migrants living in Chile. Cross tables and mean difference tests were performed. Results: Women had higher eating quality when they used the food acculturation strategies of separation and avoidance. Men had higher scores in avoidance and integration. The highest eating quality in women was after 5 years post-migration, men between 6 months and 1 year. Conclusions: Women and men have different mechanisms of food adaptation or maladaptation post-migration, except for food avoidance. Similarly, longer residence time favors dietary quality in women, but not in men. It is necessary to continue investigating the effect of other variables and other migrant groups.