Dietary Practices and Duration of Residence among sub-Saharan Migrants in Casablanca, Morocco: Analytical Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Migration is frequently associated with dietary and lifestyle changes that may increase the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This study aimed to assess dietary practices and lifestyle-related risk factors associated with nutritional transition among sub-Saharan migrants in Morocco. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in Casablanca, Morocco, between January 2023 and January 2024, among 272 Sub-Saharan migrants recruited through convenience sampling. A standardized questionnaire was used for data collection. Variables were described as means ± standard deviation or medians [1st–3rd quartile], depending on distribution, and as frequencies and percentages with 95% confidence intervals. The association between duration of stay in Morocco and the frequency of consumption of dairy products, vegetables, fruit, and cereals was assessed using the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test, given the non-normal distribution of the data. Analyses were performed using Jamovi software (version 2.6.44), with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Participants had a mean age of 25.4 ± 6.6 years. 58.39% had resided in Morocco for 6 months to 4 years, and 41.61% for more than 4 years. Only 38.6% met WHO recommendations for fruit and vegetable intake (400g or 5 servings/ day). 33.8% and 32.4% reported consuming one serving of cereal products/ day and more than one serving/ day, respectively, while 33.8% claimed to consume fewer than 5 servings/ week. More than half (53.7%) reported consuming one serving of dairy products/ day, and 27.9% consumed fewer than 5 servings/ week. Most of participants (64%) obtained protein mainly from poultry, eggs, and fish. Smoking status (83,3% non-smokers), alcohol consumption (77,2% non-drinkers), and physical activity, with 23.9% reporting no physical and 52.2% reporting activity below 30 minutes/ session, up to 3 times/ week. Length of stay in Morocco was significantly associated with the frequency of consumption of fruits, vegetables, and cereals (P < 0,05). These findings suggest that dietary patterns evolve with length of residence, consistent with dietary acculturation, and that low intake of protective foods combined with insufficient physical activity may increase long-term NCD risk in this population, supporting the need for culturally adapted nutrition and physical activity interventions within migrant public health strategies. Key words: Migration, Dietary practices, Nutrition transition, Sub-Saharan migrants, non-communicable diseases, Morocco