Exploring the Food Security and Dietary Diversity Situation: A Comparative Analysis between Bangladeshi Immigrants Currently Residing in Lund, Sweden and Their Previous Residence in Bangladesh.

Sammanfattning: The purpose of this study was to compare the food security and dietary diversity status of Bangladeshi immigrants living in Sweden to their position in Bangladesh. Structured surveys were used to collect data from 15 Bangladeshi immigrants, which included demographic information as well as indices of food security and dietary diversity. Food security was assessed using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS), while dietary variety was examined using the Household Dietary variety Score (HDDS). The descriptive analysis of the study revealed that the mean HDDS score for participants residing in Bangladesh was slightly higher than their mean HDDS scores in Sweden. This shows that Bangladeshi immigrants in Sweden can maintain the same level of nutritional diversity as they had in Bangladesh. However, participants in Sweden had higher mean HFIAS ratings than those in Bangladesh, indicating a higher incidence of food insecurity among Bangladeshi immigrants in Sweden. The study used the social ecological model, which takes into account individual, interpersonal, communal, and societal aspects, to investigate the causes contributing to food insecurity among Bangladeshi immigrants in Sweden. Language hurdles, cultural differences, socioeconomic issues, religious restrictions, and the food environment were identified as factors influencing food diversity and food poverty in a thematic analysis of interview data. The study's conclusions have significant policy consequences. Policymakers can design targeted interventions and policies to reduce food insecurity among Bangladeshi immigrants in Sweden by identifying the variables that contribute to it. Improving linguistic support, overcoming cultural obstacles, resolving socioeconomic issues, offering culturally acceptable food selections, and improving the entire food environment are some examples. Ultimately, the goal is to improve Bangladeshi immigrants' food security and dietary diversity status in Sweden, as well as to boost their overall health and well-being.