title: Perceived impact of Nepalese food and food culture in diabetes.
abstract: Consuming a healthy diet forms an important component of diabetes management; however, adhering to a healthy diet is challenging. Dietary behaviour is often guided by socio-cultural, environmental and emotional factors, and not necessarily by physical and nutritional needs. This study explored Nepalese patients' perceptions of the impact of diet, diet management requirement for diabetes and how Nepalese food culture in particular influenced diet management. Interviews were conducted with Nepalese participants with type 2 diabetes in Sydney and Kathmandu; and data was thematically analysed. Diet was recognized as a cause of, and a key treatment modality, in diabetes. Besides doctors, participants in Nepal received a large amount of dietary information from the community. Dietary changes formed a major component of lifestyle modifications adopted after diagnosis, and mostly consisted of removal of foods with added sugar and foods with high total sugar content from the diet, and a reduction in overall quantity of foods consumed. Perceived dietary restriction requirements created social and emotional discomfort to patients. Most participants perceived the Nepalese food culture as a barrier to effective diet management. Meals high in carbohydrates, limited food choices, and food preparation methods were identified as barriers, particularly in Nepal. In Australia, participants reported greater availability and easier access to appropriate food, and healthier cooking options. The socio-cultural aspects of food behaviour, mainly, food practices during social events were identified as significant barriers. Although diet was acknowledged as an important component of diabetes care, and most adopted changes in their diet post-diagnosis, effective and sustained changes were difficult to achieve. Future public health campaigns and education strategies should focus on improving diet knowledge, awareness of food options for diabetes, and effective dietary management.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. Electronic address: ssap1447@uni.sydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: Sujata
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sapkota
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; St. Vincent's Hospital, Clinical School, UNSW, NSW 2010, Australia. Electronic address: jo-anne.brien@sydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: Jo-Anne E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Brien
authors.affiliation: St. Vincent's Hospital, Clinical School, UNSW, NSW 2010, Australia; Charles Perkins Center, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. Electronic address: josephine.gwynn@sydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: Josephine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gwynn
authors.affiliation: St. Vincent's Hospital, Clinical School, UNSW, NSW 2010, Australia; Charles Perkins Center, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. Electronic address: Vicki.Flood@svha.org.au.
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Flood
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia. Electronic address: parisa.aslani@sydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: Parisa
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Aslani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia; D003469:Culture; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D003927:Diet, Diabetic / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009390:Nepal / Q000208:ethnology; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D010465:Perception; D036301:Qualitative Research; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Behaviour; Diet management; Food culture; Nepalese; Perceptions; Type 2 diabetes