Nutrition
The purpose of the nutrition component within PMCH is to inform and educate individuals on how to develop and maintain a healthy diet while respecting traditional, cultural dietary customs. Recognizing that food and food behaviors are significant characteristics within cultures, PMCH researches food practices and how they are impacted by cultural beliefs and values. Understanding how culture influences diet is essential to develop culturally appropriate and effective strategies to improve the health of culturally diverse populations.
PMCH Nutrition Projects
Nutrition interventions are designed to help culturally diverse individuals make healthier food choices. PMCH nutrition projects are designed not only to educate individuals on how to select and prepare culturally appropriate and healthy foods, but also support initiatives that make it easier for individuals to eat healthier.
Body and Soul Project Enhancement Project (2006-2007)
This project is designed to offer supplemental education on nutrition and healthy eating to members of five local churches in the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area. Project activities include providing culturally tailored nutrition workshops based upon the individual health needs of members of the church.
Healthy Eating and Physical Activity for Arab-American Women (2004)
This project was designed to provide culturally appropriate nutrition education to Arab women to reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases and to improve overall health. This was accomplished through a culturally designed intervention to increase their knowledge and practice of preparing healthier foods. A needs assessment was conducted to determine culturally preferred foods and any challenges to modifying the diet for optimal health. The assessment indicated that most participants were not drinking enough water daily. Special emphasis was given to provide resources and tips on increasing daily water consumption. The women were given a tour of a Middle Eastern grocery store to assist in selecting healthier foods. The project included a cooking demonstration with a chef on preparing healthier food.
Sisters Striving Towards Balanced Health: A Cultural Approach to Weight Management in African-American and Mexican-American Women (2003)
This project was designed to assist African American and Mexican American women to improve their knowledge and skills in selecting and preparing culturally appropriate foods for weight management. To support the emphasis on weight loss maintenance, interventions were designed to reflect cultural aspects of the African American and Mexican American diet. This included understanding the history behind how each diet evolved and also cultural concerns and behaviors around portion size and food choices. The participants’ acquired knowledge on reading food labels to support the selection of healthy foods on a grocery store tours. PMCH assisted the women on how to prepare culturally appropriate, low fat meals through interactive cooking demonstrations.
