From Dakos to diversity: dietary integration and food security among Crete’s immigrant populations
Ioannis Sfendourakis et al.
What the paper says
Purpose This study aims to examine food security status and dietary integration patterns among long-term immigrants in Crete, Greece, investigating socioeconomic, cultural and demographic determinants of dietary adaptation. Design/methodology/approach A mixed-methods approach was used with 471 immigrants (54.4% male; 45.6% female) residing in Crete for ≥5 years. Data were collected via structured questionnaires assessing dietary behaviors, food security dimensions (availability, accessibility and utilization) and sociodemographic factors. Quantitative analyses included t-tests, ANOVA and Spearman correlations. Findings While 91.3% of participants perceived food costs as higher than in their countries of origin, 57.1% reported satisfactory food quality. Married immigrants showed greater dietary adaptation (married vs unmarried: mean adaptation score 3.53 vs 3.23, p < 0.05) and perceived similarity between Cretan and native cuisines. Balkan immigrants exhibited the highest incorporation of Cretan products (mean = 3.87 vs Asian immigrants: 2.94, p < 0.01), while tertiary-educated participants reported the largest perceived differences in food preparation methods. Age positively correlated with adaptation (Spearman R = 0.115, p < 0.05). Economic barriers persisted despite improved income levels in Crete (62.2% earned = €400/month pre-migration vs 19.3% post-migration). Originality/value This research provides novel insights into how cultural proximity, marital dynamics and educational attainment intersect with economic realities to shape dietary integration. The findings underscore Crete’s dual role as a culinary bridge for Balkan immigrants and a barrier for Asian groups, informing targeted food security policies.
Evidence weight
Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40
| F · citation impact | 0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20 |
| M · momentum | 0.50 × 0.15 = 0.07 |
| V · venue signal | 0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03 |
| R · text relevance † | 0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20 |
† Text relevance is estimated at 0.50 on the detail page — for your query’s actual relevance score, open this paper from a search result.