Eating behaviors of elderly persons with hyperlipidemia in urban Chiang Mai

Abstract

The objective of the present ethnographic study was to describe the eating behaviors of elderly persons with hyperlipidemia. Twenty-one elderly subjects with hyperlipidemia and their relatives volunteered to be included in the study. Focus group and in-depth interviews with participant observations were used for data collection. Each transcript from interviews and observations were analyzed using content analysis. Subjects were asked to validate findings and ethical considerations were maintained throughout the study. When discussing the meaning of food, three themes emerged: (i) substances make people strong or healthy; (ii) food is like medicine and; (iii) food causes illness. Most subjects had learned about food and nutrition from their parents or relatives and from school. Regarding food procurement, most bought food such as fish or other seafood, meat and eggs from the fresh markets nearby almost daily. All subjects cooked their own traditional northern Thai food, such as Hung-le (northern curry) and preferred seasoning such as fish sauce, pepper and herbs. They ate when they were hungry or after they had finished working. The present study reflected that northern Thai culture strongly influences the participants' eating behaviors.

Gesund bleiben mit der thailändischen Küche - eine Ernährung im Einklang mit den Elementen

“…Demgegenüber ist aber das praktische Wissen über die gesundheitlichen Eigenschaften einzelner Nahrungsmittel weit verbreitet, beispielsweise ob eine Frucht als «heiss» oder «kühlend» eingeschätzt wird. Die Jüngeren lernen von den Eltern und Grosseltern [6] und zunehmend auch aus Bildungskampagnen, Schulprogrammen und den lokalen Medien, die sich dem Thema Essen und Trinken widmen. So weiss eigentlich schon fast jedes Kind, dass die Durian-Frucht ( Durio zibethinus , Thurian) Hitze verursacht.…”

Research Article: Culturally sensitive health counseling to prevent lifestyle-related diseases in Japan

“…Various studies have examined cultural meanings. Aree et al . (2004) found that, based on “local” wisdom, many elderly in Thailand believed that some foods had medicinal properties, even increasing cholesterol levels.…”

“…Various studies have examined cultural meanings. Aree et al (2004) found that, based on "local" wisdom, many elderly in Thailand believed that some foods had medicinal properties, even increasing cholesterol levels. Mellin-Olsen and Wandel (2005) identified Pakistani immigrant women with diabetes type 2 who ingested oil as if it were water and Harvey (2007) noted that a spiritual connection to the land gives rural Australian women inner peace.…”

Effect of an empowerment‐based nutrition promotion program on food consumption and serum lipid levels in hyperlipidemic Thai elderly

“…These strategies can encourage patients' active participation in their program. Aree et al (2004) found that northern Thai culture strongly influenced hyperlipidemic elderly people's eating behavior. All subjects cooked and preferred their own traditional northern Thai food.…”