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other·obstetrics and gynecology, nutrition, public health, dietetics, epidemiology·PMC10574463

Cultural Influences on African Migrant Pregnant and Postnatal Women’s Dietary Behaviours and Nutrition Support Needs in the UK

Nutrients · 4 authors, 2 centres

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TL;DR

This qualitative interview study explored the dietary challenges and nutrition support needs of 23 African migrant pregnant or postnatal women in the UK, finding that they face significant barriers in balancing cultural food practices with UK dietary advice.

Full summary

859 CHARS

Thematic analysis identified five key themes: food rituals and beliefs, pregnancy cravings, limited access to culturally appropriate food, limited access to culturally appropriate and evidence-based nutritional guidance, and a focus on healthy weight. The central result is that women experience challenges in adapting traditional food practices within the UK food environment and according to UK dietary recommendations. The study identifies potential risks, such as nutrient deficiencies from food taboos and excessive gestational weight gain from heavy reliance on starchy staples. Limitations include reliance on participant memory and potential data loss in theme selection. The authors suggest that culturally sensitive healthcare and tailored interventions are needed to support informed decision-making and improve health outcomes for this population.

STUDY TYPE

other

SPECIALTY

obstetrics and gynecology

SUMMARISED BY

AI pipeline

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100% · A

ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10574463

Cultural Influences on African Migrant Pregnant and Postnatal Women’s Dietary Behaviours and Nutrition Support Needs in the UK

Nutrients

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ABSTRACT

Black women in the UK face significantly higher risks of overweight and obesity and adverse pregnancy outcomes compared to women from other ethnic groups. Maternal nutrition plays a pivotal role in influencing the health outcomes of women and their children, especially during preconception and pregnancy. Cultural and environmental factors significantly influence the dietary experiences of African women after migration. This study explored the unique nutrition-related challenges faced by African migrant pregnant and postnatal women in the UK, and their nutrition support needs. Interviews were conducted with 23 African migrant women living in the UK, who were either pregnant or had a pregnancy within the past 3 years. These were analysed thematically, resulting in five overarching themes: food rituals and beliefs, pregnancy cravings, limited access to culturally appropriate food, limited access to culturally appropriate and evidence-based nutritional guidance, and the focus on healthy weight. The study identified challenges that African migrant women face in balancing their cultural heritage with the UK food environment and dietary recommendations, including potential implications on their health and pregnancy outcomes. It emphasised the importance of addressing these challenges through culturally sensitive approaches and tailored interventions, to enable informed decision making and enhance health outcomes for these women.

CITATION EXPORT

Lem Ngongalah, Tim Rapley, Judith Rankin et al.. Cultural Influences on African Migrant Pregnant and Postnatal Women’s Dietary Behaviours and Nutrition Support Needs in the UK. Nutrients. (2023). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15194135

AUTHORS

4 · 2 CENTRES

Lem Ngongalah, Tim Rapley, Judith Rankin, Nicola Heslehurst

1Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4AX, UK; [email protected] (J.R.); [email protected] (N.H.)
2Department of Social Work, Education and Community Wellbeing, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE7 7XA, UK; [email protected]

EDITOR / REVIEWER

Riccardo Caccialanza