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Published VersionCC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
‘Handing down of beautiful knowledge’: Yarning with workers about feeding practices and mealtimes in Australian First Nations families
Appetite, Vol.203, pp.1-9
2024
Abstract
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 TherapyAsmita Mudholkar (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Occupational TherapyPamela Meredith (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Occupational TherapyS Duncan (Author) - REFOCUS Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Services LtdLachlan Kerley (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Occupational TherapyKathryn 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; 0195-6663
- Copyright note
- © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ).
- 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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