Disaggregating How Asian Americans Define a Healthy Diet: Exploring Generational and Intra-family Differences Through Dyadic Interviews. (14th June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cai, Julia; Ali, Shahmir; Mohsin, Farhan; Parikh, Roshan; Yang, Katherine; Auer, Sian; Sanghvi, Ananya; Kamal, Fatema; Merdjanoff, Alexis; Parekh, Niyati; DiClemente, Ralph
• Is Part Of: Current developments in nutrition. Volume 6(2022)Supplement 1
• Page Start: 100
• Page End: 100
• Publication Date: 2022-06-14
• Subjects: Nutrition -- Periodicals; Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; Nutrition; Periodicals; Periodicals; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; 612.3
• DOI: 10.1093/cdn/nzac051.016
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2475-2991

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: Asian Americans (AAs) experience a complex and growing non-communicable disease burden linked with dietary behaviors. Dietary norms, which significantly contribute to eating behaviors, face a complex set of Western and Asian socio-ecological influences in AA communities. However, little is known of how dietary norms (such as definitions of a "healthy diet") are transmitted, intersect, and differ in a multigenerational family environment. Methods: AA young adults and family members were recruited to participate in dyadic, 60-minute Zoom interviews (Jun - Dec 2021). Young adults and family members were interviewed separately on their respective eating behaviors, including perceived definition of a healthy diet. Recordings were inductively analyzed to identify themes related to different facets of a conceptualized healthy diet. Results: A total of 41 AAs were interviewed (76% female, 61% US-born, age 19–69), including 20 young adults and 21 family members (10 parents, 9 siblings, 2 cousins). Diet healthfulness was defined in three dimensions: types of food, cooking methods, and intersection of diet with holistic wellbeing. Young adults consistently emphasized the role of their parents in shaping their idea of a healthy diet, particularly Asian-specific conceptualizations of balance (e.g., "yeet hay"). However, while these ideas were particularly influential among older participants, younger participants also emphasized the intersection of diet with emotional and spiritual well-being. Both stressed cooking methods as indicators of healthfulness. While a "healthy diet" was conceptualized through intake of food groups such as fruits, vegetables, and proteins, foreign-born and older participants put a larger emphasis on dietary restrictions (e.g., completely cutting out food groups, such as fast food), while US-born and younger participants stressed enjoying foods in moderation. Conclusions: The differential understanding and impact of AA norms related to diet healthfulness highlights the need for a disaggregated understanding of dietary attitudes and behaviors in health-based interventions for AAs of different generations, particularly family-based programs. Findings call for future mixed-methods research to explore the complex dietary norms identified. Funding Sources: South Asian Health and Research Group (SAHARA).