Understanding South Asian Immigrant Women's Food Choices in the Perinatal Period

Higginbottom, Gina M.A.; Vallianatos, Helen; Shankar, Janki; Davey, Christina; Osswald, Barbara

Abstract

Background: Food practices throughout the perinatal period have a profound influence on the health and wellbeing of a mother and her child. Following migration, pregnant immigrant women bring with them culturally-situated beliefs about appropriate eating behaviours, while simultaneously encountering new socio-cultural environments that can negatively affect their food choices. Research is needed to inform and improve the provision of culturally appropriate maternal health and nutritional care.
Methods: We employed a focused ethnography, photo-voice methods, and photo-assisted interviews to explore and understand South Asian immigrant women’s food choices and practices during the perinatal period and to investigate the intersectionality of these factors in a social context of cultural adaptation and adjustment.
Findings: The key themes constructed from the data included (a) general health beliefs, (b) antenatal and postnatal food choices including Ayurvedic medical beliefs, (c) social advice and socio-economic factors.

Citation

Higginbottom, G. M., Vallianatos, H., Shankar, J., Davey, C., & Osswald, B. (2016). Understanding South Asian Immigrant Women's Food Choices in the Perinatal Period

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Feb 22, 2016
• Publication Date: Feb 24, 2016
• Deposit Date: Jul 25, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 25, 2016
• Journal: International Journal of Women's Health and Wellness
• Publisher: ClinMed International Library
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 2
• Issue: 1
• Keywords: Food Practices, Immigrant Health, Women’s Health, Culturally; Appropriate, South Asian, Pregnancy, Perinatal, Canada
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/775406
• Publisher URL: http://clinmedjournals.org/articles/ijwhw/international-journal-of-womens-health-and-wellness-ijwhw-2-013.php?jid=ijwhw
• Related Public URLs: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/helm/dev-test/chir_webapp/index.html; https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeK_EYVXyMhpOVMrL8OIiRA
• Additional Information: This research study used an innovative photo-voice methodology and it is rare to see publications in scientific journals using this method with the associated visual imaginary.; The study received national funding from the Canadian Institute for Health Research (CIHR).; In the context of international global migration the paper provides significant and important insights into the food choices of immigrant women. The findings being to transferable to the South Asian diaspora in Europe, Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand. ; ; Co-authored with colleagues at the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary, Canada.