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Immigrant women’s food choices in pregnancy: perspectives from women of Chinese origin in Canada

Higginbottom, G.M.A.; Vallianatos, Helen; Shankar, Janki; Safipour, Jalal; Davey, Christina

Authors

G.M.A. Higginbottom

Helen Vallianatos

Janki Shankar

Jalal Safipour

Christina Davey



Abstract

Objective: Following migration, pregnant immigrant women may encounter social, cultural, and economic challenges that negatively affect their food choices and subsequent health outcomes. Culturally appropriate health care is crucial during the perinatal period to ensure the health of immigrant mothers and their children. This project aims to explore and understand how the health beliefs and practices of Chinese immigrant women affect their food choices during the perinatal period.

Design: This qualitative study used the methodology of focused ethnography. Women participated in one semi-structured interview, followed by a second photo-assisted, semi-structured interview which incorporated photographs taken by the women themselves.

Results: The food choices and health behaviors of immigrant women were influenced by their general health beliefs, cultural knowledge concerning particular types of foods, traditional Chinese medical beliefs, social advice and information, and socio-economic factors.


Conclusion: The provision of culturally appropriate health care is crucial during the perinatal period, as it is not only a vulnerable life stage for women and their children but also a sensitive period of interaction with the Canadian health-care system. Understanding these intersecting factors can help to ensure culturally appropriate care and optimized health outcomes for Chinese immigrant women during the perinatal period.

Citation

Higginbottom, G., Vallianatos, H., Shankar, J., Safipour, J., & Davey, C. (in press). Immigrant women’s food choices in pregnancy: perspectives from women of Chinese origin in Canada. Ethnicity and Health, https://doi.org/10.1080/13557858.2017.1281384

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Nov 9, 2016
Online Publication Date Feb 3, 2017
Deposit Date Jul 19, 2017
Journal Ethnicity and Health
Print ISSN 1355-7858
Electronic ISSN 1465-3419
Publisher Routledge
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/13557858.2017.1281384
Keywords Food practices; Immigrant health; Women’s health; Culturally appropriate; Chinese; Pregnancy; Perinatal; Canada
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/847800
Publisher URL http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13557858.2017.1281384?scroll=top&needAccess=true
Additional Information An associated online resouce can be found at http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/helm/dev/cihr/step2.html
Contract Date Jul 17, 2017


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