‘Handing down of beautiful knowledge’: Yarning with workers about feeding practices and mealtimes in Australian First Nations families

Laine Chilman; Asmita Mudholkar; Pamela Meredith; S Duncan; Lachlan Kerley; Kathryn Wenham

doi:10.1016/j.appet.2024.107676

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‘Handing down of beautiful knowledge’: Yarning with workers about feeding practices and mealtimes in Australian First Nations families

Journal article

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Peer reviewed

‘Handing down of beautiful knowledge’: Yarning with workers about feeding practices and mealtimes in Australian First Nations families

Laine Chilman, Asmita Mudholkar, Pamela Meredith, S Duncan, Lachlan Kerley and Kathryn Wenham

Appetite, Vol.203, pp.1-9

2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2024.107676

PMID: 39271058

Appears in UniSC Diversity and Inclusion Research Collection

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Abstract

Indigenous methodologies

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families

practitioners

culture

parenting

qualitative

UniSC Diversity Area - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement

UniSC Diversity Area - Life Stages

Mealtimes and feeding practices are shaped by culture and have long-term implications for social and emotional wellbeing. To date, there has been little research in Australia that has focused on First Nations families' feeding practices and mealtimes. This co-designed study aimed to explore First Nations' families feeding practices through yarning circles with workers (n = 14) at an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organization. Most workers (79%) were Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and all worked directly with First Nations families. Using thematic analysis, four themes were inductively identified from the yarns: the importance of childhood experiences, history, and intergenerational knowledges; mealtimes as a point of connection and wellbeing; the impact of structural barriers on feeding practices; and the important roles of First Nations workers supporting families with feeding difficulties. Workers described how First Nations families' feeding practices and mealtimes are informed by cultural values and knowledge that have been passed down through generations. Yet throughout the yarns, participants highlighted the impact of historical and current structural factors (e.g., cost of living, child removal, housing) that affect families' ability to engage in feeding practices that align with their beliefs and culture. Workers described several strengths-based approaches they use to support families, including community-led mealtime groups, liaising with mainstream health services, and providing a respectful space. We propose that the Social and Emotional Wellbeing model is a holistic strengths-based resource for workers to conceptualize First Nations families’ strengths, values, and challenges in relation to feeding and mealtimes. More co-designed research including the perspectives of First Nations families is needed to better understand healthy and culturally aligned feeding and mealtime practices.

Details

Title: ‘Handing down of beautiful knowledge’: Yarning with workers about feeding practices and mealtimes in Australian First Nations families
Authors: Laine Chilman (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Occupational Therapy
Asmita Mudholkar (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Occupational Therapy
Pamela Meredith (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Occupational Therapy
S Duncan (Author) - REFOCUS Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Services Ltd
Lachlan Kerley (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Occupational Therapy
Kathryn Wenham (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Public Health
Publication details: Appetite, Vol.203, pp.1-9
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date published: 2024
DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2024.107676
ISSN: 1095-8304
PMID: 39271058
Data Availability: The authors do not have permission to share data.
Grants: Exploring factors to support culturally appropriate healthy feeding practices for Australian First Nations families with young children, 0980027797, University of the Sunshine Coast (Australia, Sunshine Coast) - UniSC
Organisation Unit: Healthy Ageing Research Cluster; School of Health - Occupational Therapy; Cancer Research Cluster; School of Health - Public Health
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991064098702621
Output Type: Journal article

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