Asian Indian Views on Diet and Health in the United States: Importance of Understanding Cultural and Social Factors to Address Disparities
Authors
Dr MPH
Division of General Internal Medicine, University of California, San Francisco (Dr Mukherjea); The Ethnographic Institute, Berkeley (Dr Underwood); Institute for Health and Aging and the Center for Aging in Diverse Communities, University of California, San Francisco (Dr Stewart); Division of Community Health and Human Development, University of California, Berkeley (Dr Ivey); and Division of General Internal Medicine, University of California, San Francisco (Dr Kanaya)
Dr PhD
Division of General Internal Medicine, University of California, San Francisco (Dr Mukherjea); The Ethnographic Institute, Berkeley (Dr Underwood); Institute for Health and Aging and the Center for Aging in Diverse Communities, University of California, San Francisco (Dr Stewart); Division of Community Health and Human Development, University of California, Berkeley (Dr Ivey); and Division of General Internal Medicine, University of California, San Francisco (Dr Kanaya)
Dr PhD
Division of General Internal Medicine, University of California, San Francisco (Dr Mukherjea); The Ethnographic Institute, Berkeley (Dr Underwood); Institute for Health and Aging and the Center for Aging in Diverse Communities, University of California, San Francisco (Dr Stewart); Division of Community Health and Human Development, University of California, Berkeley (Dr Ivey); and Division of General Internal Medicine, University of California, San Francisco (Dr Kanaya)
Dr MHSA
Division of General Internal Medicine, University of California, San Francisco (Dr Mukherjea); The Ethnographic Institute, Berkeley (Dr Underwood); Institute for Health and Aging and the Center for Aging in Diverse Communities, University of California, San Francisco (Dr Stewart); Division of Community Health and Human Development, University of California, Berkeley (Dr Ivey); and Division of General Internal Medicine, University of California, San Francisco (Dr Kanaya)
Dr MD
Division of General Internal Medicine, University of California, San Francisco (Dr Mukherjea); The Ethnographic Institute, Berkeley (Dr Underwood); Institute for Health and Aging and the Center for Aging in Diverse Communities, University of California, San Francisco (Dr Stewart); Division of Community Health and Human Development, University of California, Berkeley (Dr Ivey); and Division of General Internal Medicine, University of California, San Francisco (Dr Kanaya)
Keywords:
Asian Indian, chronic disease, cultural contexts, disparities, qualitative inquiry
Abstract
This study describes Asian Indian immigrant perspectives surrounding dietary beliefs and practices to identify intervention targets for diabetes and heart disease prevention. Participants were asked about conceptualizations of relationships between culture, food, and health during 4 focus groups (n = 38). Findings reveal influences of beliefs from respondents’ native India, preservation of cultural practices within the US social structure, conflicts with subsequent generations, and reinterpretation of health-related knowledge through a lens, hybridizing both “native” and “host” contexts. Galvanization of ethnically valued beliefs incorporating family and community structures is needed for multipronged approaches to reduce disproportionate burdens of disease among this understudied minority community.
Keywords: Asian Indian, chronic disease, cultural contexts, disparities, qualitative inquiry
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