Contextual factors influencing dietary practices of Chinese Canadian seniors: Elderly Chinese Canadians' perspectives.

摘要

The dietary behaviours of elderly Chinese immigrants can be multidimensional, varying with cultural beliefs, acculturation, socioeconomic status, and other factors. Informed by the PRECEDE-PROCEED model and Kleinman's explanatory models, the primary purpose of this qualitative study was to explore factors influencing Chinese Canadian seniors' dietary practices. The ultimate goal is to increase the health care professionals' awareness and understanding on how to provide culturally appropriate and effective health care that meet the elderly Chinese immigrants' dietary needs.;In-depth interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire were conducted with 10 male and female Chinese Canadian seniors. The results of this study revealed that: (a) cultural beliefs and values played a major role in the Chinese elderly participants' dietary practices; (b) family members, peers, as well as health care professionals and services greatly influenced the elderly participants' dietary practices; and (c) the participants' biological changes, psychological health, accessibility and availability of traditional Chinese foods, and financial issues significantly affected their dietary practices. Strategies were suggested to help provide appropriate and effective health education programs and consultation for the elderly Chinese immigrants.