A Phenomenological Inquiry: The Impact of the Process of Dietary Acculturation and the Nutritional Discourse in Canada on Female Immigrants with Type II diabetes

Abstract

Nutritional communication research helps with public health promotion, government dietary intervention and future outlooks for the dietetics profession. This research explores the way health professionals target niche population groups to educate on nutrition. The phenomenological methodology and the Communication Accommodation theory framework guided interviews with 10 Arab-speaking females diagnosed with type II diabetes or prediabetes. The findings reveal eight major underlying themes: language, socio-economic impact, level of integration/adaption to new environment, role of religion in life, health is a personal responsibility, role of family/specific family members, role of health professional and views on the Canadian food/culture. Ultimately, dietary acculturation of the sample group is influenced by level of English language proficiency, health literacy, exposure to health information and cultural values.