A Qualitative Exploration of Asian Cultural and Familial Dynamics Shaping Eating Behaviors in Women

Abstract

The family and cultural context in which women consume food is truly multidimensional and the current study is a qualitative examination of the subject with a sample of 25 women varying across Asian cultural and demographic dimensions. Reflexive thematic analysis identified three main themes, namely: The Family as the Primary Architect of Food Norms, Navigating Cultural Expectations and Ideals and The Burden of Being the Family Food Custodian. The research study highlights the sense that women's eating is a complex process with a lot of emotions and emotions conflicts, which is rooted in the intergenerational norms and in the current culture/daily life. The study challenges the individual-oriented public health strategy and implores a fundamental reassessment of the problem of the burden of diet-related disease to create culturally responsive solutions to substantial and sustainable changes in diet within the confines of a family.