Sociocultural construction of food ways in low‐income Mexican‐American women with diabetes: a qualitative study

Aims and objectives The aim of the study was to explore how low‐income Hispanic women, with at least 10 years of having type 2 diabetes, successfully manage the disease within a sociocultural context, especially in relation to foodways. Background Managing type 2 diabetes is challenging, particularly for underserved populations such as low‐income Hispanic women. This population segment has higher rates of type 2 diabetes, diabetes‐related complications, obesity, and sedentary lifestyles than the general U.S. population. Dietary management is a critical aspect of diabetes care, but it is perhaps the most difficult health behaviour to modify. Design A qualitative and ethnographically based study was used. Methods Participant observation and individual interviews explored the interrelationships of culture, food habits and type 2 diabetes among 12 low‐income Hispanic women residing in an impoverished rural community located on the Texas‐Mexico border. Results Hispanic women used unique strategies to adjust their diet, particularly portion control; for example, they emphasised the ‘use of the fork’, based on the notion that Hispanic finger foods are less healthy. Women categorised foods as bad or acceptable, depending on the context, such as important family or social gatherings. Those with years of diabetes experience confidently took charge of the disease based on knowledge of their bodies and a desire to avoid complications, while acknowledging brief infractions of dietary ‘rules’ and balancing various social roles and expectations. Conclusions Hispanic women manage their type 2 diabetes within a sociocultural environment. Those with expertise make changes in how they eat to care for their diabetes, but also continue to maintain traditional foodways. Relevance to clinical practice Foodways are critical to most cultural groups and modifying dietary behaviours can be challenging. Clinicians must develop self‐management guidance within the sociocultural context of the patient if diabetes outcomes are to improve and be sustained.