UC Davis

Issue: “If food and lifestyle choices are implicated in the high rate of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) affecting Pasifika peoples, then there is a need to understand their beliefs with regard to food” (p.xvii) Soon (2016). Samoans face some of the highest rates of diet-related NCDs in the world (Blair 2018), yet there is limited research on Samoans in the U.S. Goal: The goal of this thesis is to gain a better understanding of how food literacy, food choice and culture present themselves among the Samoan population in the Bay Area, California. Methods: 36 question survey of 147 participants and five follow up interviews, three questions each. Key results: Church is a highly underutilized source of health information, high consumption of fast food, culture plays a major role in food selection, high rate of NCDs, and a preference for filling foods. Conclusion: Understanding food literacy and behaviors among this population can aid in health community based health interventions.