Latina food patterns in the United States: a qualitative metasynthesis.
BACKGROUND
Obesity disproportionately affects Latinas living in the United States, and cultural food patterns contribute to this health concern.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to synthesize the qualitative results of research regarding Latina food patterns in order to (a) identify common patterns across Latino culture and within Latino subcultures and (b) inform future research by determining gaps in the literature.


METHODS
A systematic search of three databases produced 13 studies (15 manuscripts) that met the inclusion criteria for review. The Critical Appraisal Skills Program tool and the recommendations of Squires for evaluating translation methods in qualitative research were applied to appraise study quality. Authors coded through directed content analysis and an adaptation of the Joanna Briggs Institute Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument coding template to extract themes. Coding focused on food patterns, obesity, population breakdown, immigration, acculturation, and barriers and facilitators to healthy eating. Other themes and categories emerged from this process to complement this approach.


RESULTS
Major findings included the following: (a) Immigration driven changes in scheduling, food choice, socioeconomic status, and family dynamics shape the complex psychology behind healthy food choices for Latina women; (b) in Latina populations, barriers and facilitators to healthy lifestyle choices around food are complex; and (c) there is a clear need to differentiate Latino populations by country of origin in future qualitative studies on eating behavior.


CONCLUSIONS
Healthcare providers need to recognize the complex influences behind eating behaviors among immigrant Latinas in order to design effective behavior change and goal-setting programs to support healthy lifestyles.
Lauren Gerchow, BSN, RN, is Master of Science in Nursing Student, College of Nursing, New York University. Barbara Tagliaferro, BA, MA, is Research Coordinator, Section on Health Choice, Policy, and Evaluation, School of Medicine, Department of Population Health, New York University. Allison Squires, PhD, RN, is Assistant Professor and Director of International Education, College of Nursing, New York University. Joey Nicholson, MLIS, MPH, is Assistant Curator and Education and Curriculum Librarian, School of Medicine, New York University. Stella M. Savarimuthu, is Medical Student, Hofstra North Shore-LIJ School of Medicine, Hempstead, New York. Damara Gutnick, MD, is Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine and Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, New York University. Melanie Jay, MD, MS, is Staff Physician and Clinician Investigator, Veterans Affairs Medical Center New York Harbor.
Lauren
L
Gerchow
Barbara
B
Tagliaferro
Allison
A
Squires
Joey
J
Nicholson
Stella M
SM
Savarimuthu
Damara
D
Gutnick
Melanie
M
Jay
D000069:Acculturation; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D017691:Caribbean Region / Q000208:ethnology; D002489:Central America / Q000208:ethnology; D016208:Databases, Factual / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005195:Family Relations / Q000208:ethnology; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013020:South America / Q000208:ethnology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology