Living Conditions of Sub-Saharan Immigrants in Belgium: A Socio-Economic Approach of Eating Habits

Abstract

The objective of this study is to understand the socio-economic relationships in  habits among sub-Saharan immigrants in Belgium. The interactions between the new living environment and pre-immigration habits were also a focus of the study. The quantitative survey was carried out in seven Belgian cities on a sample of 180 persons. The qualitative part consisted of interviews with twelve sub-Saharan immigrants. The results showed that the main factors explaining the consumption of African food are: the presence of a spouse in the household, children's interest in African products, household size and the availability (supply) of products from the country of origin. Moreover, it appears that the length of stay on Belgian territory does not significantly affect the consumption of African products. Relationships to African food are variously perceived and expressed by sub-Saharan Africans. Basically, their consumption seems to respond to a need to reinvent the socio-emotional microcosm necessary to preserve sacred links with the land of origin. However, in this new and constraining environment, the economic and financial condition of these immigrants does not represent a major factor in the decision-making process for purchasing exotic products.