IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v19y2022i11p6360-d822507.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Dietary Practices during Pregnancy in a Marshallese Community: A Mixed Methods Analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Britni L. Ayers

    (College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, 1125 N. College Avenue, Fayetteville, AR 72703, USA)

  • Cari A. Bogulski

    (College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, 1125 N. College Avenue, Fayetteville, AR 72703, USA)

  • Ashlea Bennett-Milburn

    (Bell Engineering Center, University of Arkansas Fayetteville, 800 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA)

  • Anna Fisher

    (Department of Pediatrics, The University of Utah, 295 Chipeta Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84103, USA)

  • Morda Netwon

    (College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, 1125 N. College Avenue, Fayetteville, AR 72703, USA)

  • Pearl A. McElfish

    (College of Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest, 1125 N. College Avenue, Fayetteville, AR 72703, USA)

Abstract

Dietary practices during pregnancy play a pivotal role in the health of women and their children and set the foundation for long-term health. Marshallese women have disproportionally higher rates of maternal and infant health disparities, yet little is known about the dietary practices during their pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to identify dietary practices during pregnancy among Marshallese women. From March 2019 to March 2020, a purposive sample of 33 pregnant Marshallese participants participated in a mixed methods study. Two primary themes emerged: (1) traditional beliefs about a healthy diet during pregnancy; and (2) dietary change during pregnancy. Within the first theme, four subthemes emerged: (1) should eat; (2) should not eat; (3) challenges to traditional diet; and (4) spiritual dietary customs during pregnancy. Within the second theme, three subthemes emerged: (1) a healthy diet for my baby; (2) autonomy and diet; and (3) sugar-sweetened beverages. The transition in discourse from traditional customs of dietary practices to an individualistic discourse highlights that acculturation is a complex process that should be included in maternal health education and interventions. Findings from this study provide insight into potential considerations for future interventions aiming to improve maternal and child health outcomes among Marshallese.

Suggested Citation

  • Britni L. Ayers & Cari A. Bogulski & Ashlea Bennett-Milburn & Anna Fisher & Morda Netwon & Pearl A. McElfish, 2022. "Dietary Practices during Pregnancy in a Marshallese Community: A Mixed Methods Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-13, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:11:p:6360-:d:822507
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/11/6360/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/11/6360/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Israel, B.A. & Coombe, C.M. & Cheezum, R.R. & Schulz, A.J. & McGranaghan, R.J. & Lichtenstein, R. & Reyes, A.G. & Clement, J. & Burris, A., 2010. "Community-based participatory research: A capacity-building approach for policy advocacy aimed at eliminating health disparities," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 100(11), pages 2094-2102.
    2. Schempf, A.H. & Mendola, P. & Hamilton, B.E. & Hayes, D.K. & Makuc, D.M., 2010. "Perinatal outcomes for Asian, native Hawaiian, and other Pacific Islander mothers of single and multiple race/ethnicity: California and Hawaii, 2003-2005," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 100(5), pages 877-887.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Britni L. Ayers & Rachel S. Purvis & Jennifer Callaghan-Koru & Sharon Reece & Sheena CarlLee & Nirvana Manning & Krista Langston & Sheldon Riklon & Pearl A. McElfish, 2023. "Marshallese Mothers’ and Marshallese Maternal Healthcare Providers’ Perspectives on Contraceptive Use and Reproductive Life Planning Practices and Influences," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-14, February.
    2. Lisa M. Vaughn & MaryAnn Lohmueller, 2014. "Calling All Stakeholders," Evaluation Review, , vol. 38(4), pages 336-355, August.
    3. Brubacher, Laura Jane & Dewey, Cate E. & Cunsolo, Ashlee & Humphries, Sally & Healey Akearok, Gwen K. & Gong, Crystal & Harper, Sherilee L., 2020. "Mapping the maternal health research landscape in Nunavut: A systematic search & critical review of methodology," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 262(C).
    4. Lily F. Roberts & Olivia Lounsbury & Veronica Awuzudike & Neil Jennings & Emma L. Lawrance, 2022. "Healthy Environments: Understanding Perceptions of Underrepresented Communities in the United Kingdom," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-21, August.
    5. Judith Langfermann, 2024. "How Citizen Entrepreneurship Works," Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, vol. 10(2), pages 327-334, July.
    6. Marj Plumb & Senaida Fernandez Poole & Heather Sarantis & Susan Braun & Janna Cordeiro & Juliana Van Olphen & Marion Kavanaugh-Lynch, 2019. "Development and Evaluation of a Training Program for Community-Based Participatory Research in Breast Cancer," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-16, November.
    7. Jessica Alejandra Ruiz-Ramírez & Yury Arenis Olarte-Arias & Leonardo David Glasserman-Morales, 2021. "Educational Processes for Health and Disease Self-Management in Public Health: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-14, June.
    8. West, Joseph F., 2014. "Public health program planning logic model for community engaged Type 2 diabetes management and prevention," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 43-49.
    9. Clifton Addison & Brenda W. Campbell Jenkins & Monique White & Darcel Thigpen Odom & Marty Fortenberry & Gregory Wilson & Pamela McCoy & Lavon Young & Clevette Woodberry & Kathryn Herron & Jermal Clar, 2021. "Twenty Years of Leading the Way among Cohort Studies in Community-Driven Outreach and Engagement: Jackson State University/Jackson Heart Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-18, January.
    10. Emond, Tina & Guillaumie, Laurence & de Montigny, Francine, 2021. "Using a logic model to develop an intervention for improving miscarriage care in the emergency department," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
    11. Sara Ronzi & Lois Orton & Stefanie Buckner & Nigel Bruce & Daniel Pope, 2020. "How is Respect and Social Inclusion Conceptualised by Older Adults in an Aspiring Age-Friendly City? A Photovoice Study in the North-West of England," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-29, December.
    12. Lisa M. Vaughn & Farrah Jacquez & Daniel Marschner & Daniel McLinden, 2016. "See what we say: using concept mapping to visualize Latino immigrant’s strategies for health interventions," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 61(7), pages 837-845, September.
    13. Mashtura Hasan & Harmandip Singh & Farzanna Haffizulla, 2021. "Culturally Sensitive Health Education in the Caribbean Diaspora: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-16, February.
    14. John Sonnega & Amanda Sonnega & Daniel Kruger, 2019. "The City Doesn’t Sleep: Community Perceptions of Sleep Deficits and Disparities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-13, October.
    15. M. Renée Umstattd Meyer & Tyler Prochnow & Marilyn E. Wende & Kelly R. Ylitalo & Rodney X. Sturdivant & Cassandra M. Johnson & Haley Delgado & Stewart G. Trost & Luis Gómez & Joseph R. Sharkey, 2024. "Physical Activity Outcomes of a Culturally Tailored, Father-Focused, and Family-Centered Health Promotion Program for Mexican-Heritage Families: ¡Haz Espacio Para Papi! (Make Room for Daddy)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(11), pages 1-15, November.
    16. Dana H. Z. Williamson & Sheryl Good & Daphne Wilson & Na’Taki Osborne Jelks & Dayna A. Johnson & Kelli A. Komro & Michelle C. Kegler, 2023. "Using the Collaborative Problem-Solving Model: Findings from an Evaluation of U.S. EPA’s Environmental Justice Academy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-24, October.
    17. Monica Webb Hooper & Charlene Mitchell & Vanessa J. Marshall & Chesley Cheatham & Kristina Austin & Kimberly Sanders & Smitha Krishnamurthi & Lena L. Grafton, 2019. "Understanding Multilevel Factors Related to Urban Community Trust in Healthcare and Research," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-16, September.
    18. Kim, Hyerang & Shon, Soonyoung & Shin, Hyunsook, 2020. "Exploring the unmet needs for creating an enabling environment for nurturing care to promote migrant child health in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan: A theory-guided community-based participatory action research," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    19. Collins, Cyleste & Dolata, Jacqueline & Pike, Earl & Sehgal, Ashwini, 2023. "Increasing research capacity in community organizations: Findings from the Community Research Scholars Initiative," Evaluation and Program Planning, Elsevier, vol. 96(C).
    20. Nicole Ackermann & Sarah Humble & Jacquelyn V. Coats & Carlette Lewis Rhone & Craig Schmid & Vetta Sanders Thompson & Kia L. Davis, 2023. "Community Research Fellows Training Program: Evaluation of a COVID-19-Precipitated Virtual Adaptation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-14, February.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:11:p:6360-:d:822507. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.