title: Reducing the risk of heart disease among Indian Australians: knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding food practices - a focus group study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Australia has a growing number of Asian Indian immigrants. Unfortunately, this population has an increased risk for coronary heart disease (CHD). Dietary adherence is an important strategy in reducing risk for CHD. This study aimed to gain greater understanding of the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs relating to food practices in Asian Indian Australians.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two focus groups with six participants in each were recruited using a convenience sampling technique. Verbatim transcriptions were made and thematic content analysis undertaken.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four main themes that emerged from the data included: migration as a pervasive factor for diet and health; importance of food in maintaining the social fabric; knowledge and understanding of health and diet; and elements of effective interventions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Diet is a complex constructed factor in how people express themselves individually, in families and communities. There are many interconnected factors influencing diet choice that goes beyond culture and religion to include migration and acculturation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Food and associated behaviors are an important aspect of the social fabric. Entrenched and inherent knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and traditions frame individuals' point of reference around food and recommendations for an optimal diet.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.|Centre for Research in Nursing and Health, St George Hospital, Kogarah, NSW, Australia; ritin@uow.edu.au.
authors.forename: Ritin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fernandez
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Strategic Research Centre for Quality and Patient Safety, Deakin University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: John X
authors.initials: JX
authors.lastname: Rolley
authors.affiliation: South Western Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Rohan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rajaratnam
authors.affiliation: University of Western Sydney, Parramatta, NSW, Australia.|Centre for Applied Nursing Research, Ingham Institute, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Bronwyn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Everett
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.|Centre for Cardiovascular and Chronic Care, Ultimo, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Patricia M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Davidson
keywords: Asian Indians; South Asian; attitudes; diet; food practices; heart disease; knowledge