Paper
Monday, November 5, 2007
537
Dieta Y Actividad FÍSica
Colleen Keller, PhD, RN-C1, Julie Derenowski Fleury, PhD, FAAN1, and Adriana Rivera-Perez, MSN2. (1) College of Nursing, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA, (2) College of Nursing and Healthcare Innovation, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA
Purposes/Aims: The purpose of this research was to explore cultural, contextual and social factors that influence dietary intake and physical activity among Hispanic women, using visual methods.
Rationale/Background/Conceptual Framework: Our research exemplar involves the use of photo elicitation and qualitative descriptive research narratives wherein the participants of the study produce the images of research concern, and the narratives of the participants become a primary source of data that illuminates the research outcome.
Methods: Seven Hispanic women participants were given 24-print disposable cameras, and instructed to take photographs of their 1) diet intake, food preparation, for purchases and eating environment for one week, including a week-end day, and 2) their physical activity, including work, leisure, household and environment for one week, including a week-end day. Individual qualitative interviews were conducted that drew upon participant photographs, and were used for data analysis. Qualitative content analysis fostered the identification of data codes and the emergence of data categories and included an iterative approach, constant comparison in data analysis, and theoretical sensitivity.
Results: Social isolation, distance from extended family, and radical changes in lifestyle contributed to overeating and making poor choices in nutrients. For others, socioeconomic conditions and family financial needs reduced time for the preparation of nutritional foods, and increasing the reliance on fast and convenient calorie-dense foods. For many women, participation in physical activity was limited by perceived functional and health concerns, lack of support from family and associated family responsibilities, cultural norms, and lack of available and safe neighborhood resources.
Implications: The images produced by Hispanic women in this study show that visual methods can be used to extend investigator’s abilities to refine theory in a culturally relevant manner. Visual methods are an innovative and potent way to discover culturally and contextually relevant meanings in marginalized, multicultural subgroups.