From Tradition to Transition: Evaluating Culinary Medicine as a Tool for Metabolic Health Among Nigerian Immigrants in the United States and the United Kingdom

Author

• Simi Oduwole M.S., Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow

Submission Date

4-19-2026

Document Type

Capstone

Degree Name

Master of Nutrition Science (MS)

First Mentor

Janet Peterson, DrPH, RDN, FACSM

Second Mentor

Stephanie Petrosky, D.C.N., M.H.A., RDN, LDN, FAND, FNAP

Keywords

Nigeria, dietary acculturation, immigrants, culinary medicine, metabolic health, Nigerian diaspora nutrition health outcomes

Abstract

This scoping review examines existing publications to evaluate whether Culinary Medicine can be used as a tool for metabolic health among Nigerian immigrants in the United States and the United Kingdom. Nigeria is one of the fastest-growing populations globally, with increasing migration to high-income countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom. Evidence suggests that Nigerian immigrants experience a rise in diet-related chronic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, as duration of residence increases. This phenomenon is often attributed to dietary acculturation and shifts toward Westernized eating patterns. This scoping review evaluates whether culinary medicine can mitigate metabolic health risks among Nigerian immigrants in the United States and the United Kingdom. A comprehensive search identified 157 articles, of which 19 met the inclusion criteria. Only a limited number of studies directly assessed culinary medicine interventions in African immigrant populations. Findings suggest that while culinary medicine may improve dietary behaviors and select clinical outcomes, current evidence is insufficient to establish its effectiveness in this population. These results highlight a significant gap in culturally tailored nutrition interventions and underscore the need for targeted, community-based research.

NSUWorks Citation

Simi Oduwole M.S.. 2026. From Tradition to Transition: Evaluating Culinary Medicine as a Tool for Metabolic Health Among Nigerian Immigrants in the United States and the United Kingdom. Capstone. Nova Southeastern University. Retrieved from NSUWorks, . (43)
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/hpd_com_nutrition/43.