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Marquez B, Lebensohn-Chialvo F, Al-Rousan T. Understanding family functioning in mothers and daughters with obesity. Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being 2024; 19:2348894. [PMID: 38733143 PMCID: PMC11089922 DOI: 10.1080/17482631.2024.2348894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study sought to understand family functioning surrounding weight in Mexican American women with obesity. METHODS Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with mothers and adult daughters (N = 116). RESULTS Thematic analysis identified five themes. 1) The communication process drives perception of supportive messages. Messages perceived as non-supportive consist of directives as interventions, confirmation of faults, and critical compliments whereas supportive consist of compliments, encouragement, empathetic listening, and disclosure. 2) Acculturation differences interfere with intergenerational alliance. Differences involve dissonance in communication, behavioural expectations, and weight-related practices. 3) Maladaptive conflict responses contribute to relational strain. These responses include avoidance, withdrawal, and defensiveness. 4) Role transformations alter the generational hierarchical relationship. Daughters serve as role models, caregivers, or collaborators. 5) Low communal coping heightens psychological distress. It does so by challenging family roles, increasing social isolation, and compromising social support. CONCLUSION Obesity interventions for Mexican American women may benefit from targeting relational skills to improve family functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Becky Marquez
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health & Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - Tala Al-Rousan
- Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health & Human Longevity Science, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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Akingbule O, Teran-Garcia M, Alston R. Exploring the dietary practices and perceptions of African immigrants in Illinois- a qualitative study of immigrants from Nigeria and Congo. ETHNICITY & HEALTH 2024; 29:353-370. [PMID: 38515253 DOI: 10.1080/13557858.2024.2311418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Previous studies suggest an increased prevalence of diet-related chronic diseases among African immigrants with increased length of stay in the U.S. The objective of the current study is to understand the dietary practices and perceptions of recent African immigrant families. DESIGN Focus group sessions were conducted with Nigerian and Congolese immigrant parents residing in Illinois. Participants were recruited using convenience sampling methods and focus group sessions were conducted via videoconference. Participants discussed dietary practices, meal preparation, and family mealtimes for their families. They also discussed experiences with eating different kinds of foods since arrival in the U.S. Verbatim transcription of focus group sessions were completed and deductive thematic analysis of transcribed data was conducted using NVivo (QSR International Pty Ltd. [2020] NVivo [version 12]). RESULTS Twenty African immigrant parents (Mean age: 42 years, Female: 95%) residing in Northern and Central Illinois participated in a total of five focus group sessions. Seven themes were derived from the analysis. Participants had a positive attitude toward healthy diet and had a high level of interest in receiving educational resources to make healthier food choices. Participants preferred and mostly consumed foods they were familiar with before migration. A majority of the participants perceived 'American foods' as unhealthy, characterizing them as containing a high amount of sugar and salt. Parents reported that their school-aged children often preferred a western diet over traditional African meals. CONCLUSION This study helps to understand unique diet-related practices and perceptions of recent Nigerian and Congolese African immigrants in Illinois. Findings could help to inform cultural adaptation of evidence-based nutrition education programs for these groups of African immigrants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oluwatosin Akingbule
- Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Margarita Teran-Garcia
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA
- Department of Biomedical and Translational Sciences, Carle Illinois College of Medicine, Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA
- University of Illinois Extension, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Reginald Alston
- Department of Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, USA
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Middleton G, Golley RK, Patterson KA, Coveney J. The family meal, a ritual frozen in time; an Australian grounded theory study. Health Promot Int 2023; 38:daad124. [PMID: 37791593 PMCID: PMC10548410 DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daad124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Family meals are recognized as an opportunity to promote the health of families. Popular discourse posits that changes to contemporary family life have made family meals harder to achieve and promotion of the 'traditional' family meal may be adding pressures to contemporary families. While research has been conducted on family meals over the last three decades, there is no explicit investigation of the experiences and practices of family meals over this time. Understanding the evolution of family meal practices across time is important for developing achievable expectations in relation to this ritual. Qualitative interviews were conducted with a diverse population of South Australian parents in the 1990s (n = 32) and with a separate population of parents in 2020 (n = 22) to gather their experiences of family meal practices. A comparative analysis, informed by grounded theory, was undertaken to identify similarities and differences in experiences across these two time periods. The results indicated stability in many family meal experiences across time, particularly in their value and significance in family life. Negotiations balancing time, cost, food preferences and responsibility persisted. The stability of family meal values and practices is important to consider when making recommendations, designing interventions and creating services targeting the family meal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Middleton
- Caring Futures Institute, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Tarntanya, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Tarntanya, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Rebecca K Golley
- Caring Futures Institute, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Tarntanya, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Tarntanya, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Karen A Patterson
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Tarntanya, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - John Coveney
- Caring Futures Institute, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Tarntanya, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Tarntanya, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Villegas E, Hammons AJ, Wiley AR, Fiese BH, Teran-Garcia M. Cultural Influences on Family Mealtime Routines in Mexico: Focus Group Study with Mexican Mothers. CHILDREN 2022; 9:children9071045. [PMID: 35884029 PMCID: PMC9318880 DOI: 10.3390/children9071045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Mexico’s obesity rates are alarming, and experts project drastic increases in the next thirty years. There is growing interest in understanding how remote acculturation and globalization processes influence health behaviors. The present study used focus group data from a central state, San Luis Potosí, in Mexico to explore mothers’ perspectives on factors that influence family mealtime routines. Thematic analysis was used to identify barriers and facilitators to healthy mealtime routines and diet within families. Twenty-one mothers participated in the focus groups; 76% were full-time stay at home mothers, the majority were low-income (65%), and fewer than half reached a high school education. Three major themes emerged: (1) mothers do most of the visible work involving mealtime routines; (2) family meals are different today, and globalization is a contributing factor; and (3) family mealtimes are shifting to weekend events. Empowering mothers to negotiate diet with family members to build healthy routines, navigate challenges due to changing environments, and set family boundaries around technology use during mealtimes should be taken into consideration when promoting healthy behaviors with Mexican families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Villegas
- Department of Early Childhood, Child Trends, 7315 Wisconsin Ave, Ste 1200W, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Amber J. Hammons
- Department of Child and Family Science, California State University Fresno, 5300 N Campus Dr. M/S FF12, Fresno, CA 93740, USA;
| | - Angela R. Wiley
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Auburn University, 210 Spidle Hall, Auburn, AL 36849, USA;
| | - Barbara H. Fiese
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Family Resiliency Center, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 904 W Nevada St., Urbana, IL 61801, USA;
| | - Margarita Teran-Garcia
- Integrated Health Disparities Programs, University of Illinois Extension, 111 Mumford Hall, 1301 W. Gregory Dr., Urbana, IL 61801, USA;
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Carle Illinois College of Medicine, Family Resiliency Center, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2103 N. Dunlap Ave., Suite B, Champaign, IL 61820, USA
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Family Food Environment during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study. CHILDREN-BASEL 2021; 8:children8050354. [PMID: 33946715 PMCID: PMC8146061 DOI: 10.3390/children8050354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic, with its cyclical lockdown restrictions and school closures, has influenced family life. The home, work, and school environments have collided and merged to form a new normal for many families. This merging extends into the family food environment, and little is known about how families are currently navigating this landscape. The objective of the present study was to describe families’ adaptations in the family food environment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Parents participated in one of 14 virtual focus groups (conducted in English and Spanish between December 2020 and February 2021). Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyze the transcripts. Results: Forty-eight parents (81% Hispanic and SES diverse) participated. Five themes and one subtheme were identified around changes in eating habits and mealtime frequency, increases in snacking, family connectedness at mealtimes, and use of screens at meals. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has influenced the family food environment. Families shared how their eating habits have changed and that device usage increased at mealtimes. Some changes (e.g., weight gain) may have lasting health implications for both children and parents. Public health officials, pediatricians, and schools should work with families to resume healthy habits post pandemic.
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Greder K, Zaman A, Routh B, Hammons A, Villegas E. Rural Midwestern Mexican Fathers' Perspectives on Family Food, Mealtimes, and Physical Activity. Ecol Food Nutr 2020; 60:409-434. [PMID: 33334199 DOI: 10.1080/03670244.2020.1858408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Two focus group interviews with eight low-income Mexican fathers in two communities in a rural Midwestern state explored fathers' perceptions, behaviors, and roles related to child and family food consumption, mealtimes, and physical activity. On average, fathers were 34 years of age, had 10 years of formal education, and annual household incomes ranged from $36,250 to $46,249. Findings include the identification of fifteen themes through the process of thematic analysis that are organized by five thematic areas of interest (family food patterns, strategies for healthy eating, family roles in food shopping and preparation, family mealtimes, physical activity among families). Findings revealed ways fathers contributed to their children's and families' health and well-being, and challenges they faced. Health promotion efforts aimed at rural, low-income Mexican immigrant families can benefit from embracing fathers' perspectives and how they influence the health and well-being of their children and families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly Greder
- Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Andrew Zaman
- Department of Kinesiology and Department of Psychology, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA
| | - Brianna Routh
- Department of Health and Human Development, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, USA
| | - Amber Hammons
- Department of Child and Family Science, California State University, Fresno, California, USA
| | - Elizabeth Villegas
- Department of Education and Child Development, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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