Doing the Month and Asian Cultures: Implications for Health Care

Tung, Wei-Chen

doi:10.1177/1084822310367473

Cited by 10 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 9 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…To assure one’s vital energy (ch’i) [42] the “right” foods have to be selected according to the particular life stage or health condition of the individual [43]. Cold and hot are defined by type of food, thereby the terms yin and yang suggest “the inherent nature of the food”, not its temperature [44]. Pregnancy is believed to cause a harmful disequilibrium of yin and yang in the female body [45].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dietary Intake and Food Habits of Pregnant Women Residing in Urban and Rural Areas of Deyang City, Sichuan Province, China

et al. 2013

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Micronutrient deficiencies and imbalanced dietary intake tend to occur during the reproductive period among women in China. In accordance with traditional Chinese culture, pregnant women are commonly advised to follow a specific set of dietary precautions. The purpose of this study was to assess dietary intake data and identify risk factors for nutritional inadequacy in pregnant women from urban and rural areas of Deyang region, Sichuan province of China. Cross-sectional sampling was applied in two urban hospitals and five rural clinics (randomly selected) in Deyang region. Between July and October 2010, a total of 203 pregnant women in the third trimester, aged 19–42 years, were recruited on the basis of informed consent during antenatal clinic sessions. Semi-structured interviews on background information and 24-h dietary recalls were conducted. On the basis of self-reported height and pre-pregnancy weight, 68.7% of the women had a pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) within the normal range (18.5 ≤ BMI < 25), 26.3% were found to be underweight with a BMI <18.5 (20.8% in urban vs. 35.6% in rural areas), while only 5.1% were overweight with a BMI ≥30. In view of acceptable macronutrient distribution ranges (AMDRs) the women’s overall dietary energy originated excessively from fat (39%), was low in carbohydrates (49.6%), and reached the lower limits for protein (12.1%). Compared to rural areas, women living in urban areas had significantly higher reference nutrient intake (RNI) fulfillment levels for energy (106.1% vs. 93.4%), fat (146.6% vs. 119.7%), protein (86.9% vs. 71.6%), vitamin A (94.3% vs. 65.2%), Zn (70.9% vs. 61.8%), Fe (56.3% vs. 48%), Ca (55.1% vs. 41%) and riboflavin (74.7% vs. 60%). The likelihood of pregnant women following traditional food recommendations, such as avoiding rabbit meat, beef and lamb, was higher in rural (80%) than in urban (65.1%) areas. In conclusion, culturally sensitive nutrition education sessions are necessary for both urban and rural women. The prevalence of underweight before conception and an insufficient supply of important micronutrients were more pronounced in rural areas. Therefore, attention must be given to the nutritional status, especially of rural women before, or at the latest, during pregnancy.

show abstract

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dietary Intake and Food Habits of Pregnant Women Residing in Urban and Rural Areas of Deyang City, Sichuan Province, China

et al. 2013

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…It is believed that consumption of chicken and rice contributes to individual strength in old age and prevention of future sickness because chicken contains less fat than soup from other meat (Jambunathan, 1995). The tradition of consuming chicken as postpartum diet is also observed among the Chinese (Pillsbury, 1978;Liulan et al, 2003;Raven et al, 2007;Tung, 2010), Thai (Kaewsarn et al, 2003b), Mien (Daviau, 2003;Panyaphu et al, 2011), and some ethnic groups in Lao (Daviau, 2003;de Boer and Lamxay, 2009;Lamxay et al, 2011). Consumption of food considered 'cold' both in terms of temperature and humoral quality is prohibited.…”

Section: Food Taboos and Plants Used For Postpartum Dietmentioning

confidence: 99%

Medicinal plants used in Hmong women's healthcare in northern Thailand

Srithi

Trisonthi

Wangpakapattanawong

et al. 2012

Journal of Ethnopharmacology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…For instance, the tradition of 'Zuo Yue Zi', ("doing the month"), greatly decreases physical activity and disturbs normal dietary habits (e.g. use of alcohol-containing soup, lack of fresh vegetables) of postpartum women for at least one month after childbirth (13). MHealth interventions might help support women to continue lifestyle behaviours even during this month, for instance, exercises that can be done indoors, and ensure when the month ends they are supported to resume healthy lifestyle choices.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some women spoke of serious emotional disturbances and distress during the "Zuo Yue Zi" (doing-themonth) postpartum period. This Chinese tradition involves minimal physical activity and altered dietary habits of postpartum women for at least one month after childbirth, which might include lack of fresh vegetables and alcohol-containing soup (rice wine) intake (13). For some, there were prior mental health issues, as well as challenges with role changing of becoming a new mother, and tensions between the women and their family members.…”

Section: Domain 6: Feelings and Emotionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chinese Women’s Attitudes Towards Postpartum Interventions to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes After Gestational Diabetes: A Semi-Structured Qualitative Study

Jie

Henry

Zhang

et al. 2020

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Gestational diabetes (GDM) is a global problem affecting millions of pregnant women, including in mainland China. These women are at high risk of Type II diabetes (T2DM). Cost-effective and clinically effective interventions are needed. We aimed to explore Chinese women’s perspectives, concerns and motivations towards participation in early postpartum interventions and/or research to prevent the development of T2DM after a GDM-affected pregnancy. Methods: We conducted a qualitative study in two hospitals in Chengdu, Southwest China. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 women with recent experience of GDM: 16 postpartum women and 4 pregnant women. Women were asked about their attitudes towards postpartum screening for type 2 diabetes, lifestyle interventions, mHealth delivered interventions and pharmacologic interventions (specifically metformin). An inductive approach to analysis was used. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and coded using NVivo 12 Pro. Results: Most women held positive attitudes towards participating in T2DM screening, and were willing to participate in postpartum interventions to prevent T2DM through lifestyle change or mHealth interventions. Women were less likely to agree to pharmacological intervention, unless they had family members with diabetes or needed medication themselves during pregnancy. We identified seven domains influencing women’s attitudes towards future interventions: (1) experiences with the health system during pregnancy; (2) living in an enabling environment; (3) the experience of T2DM in family members; (4) knowledge of diabetes and perception of risk; (5) concerns about personal and baby health; (6) feelings and emotions, and (7) lifestyle constraints. Those with more severe GDM, an enabling environment and health knowledge, and with experience of T2DM in family members expressed more favourable views of postpartum interventions and research participation to prevent T2DM after GDM. Those who perceived themselves as having mild GDM and those with time/lifestyle constraints were less likely to participate.Conclusions: Women with experiences of GDM in Chengdu are generally willing to participate in early postpartum interventions and/or research to reduce their risk of T2DM, with a preference for non-drug, mHealth based interventions, integrating lifestyle change strategies, blood glucose monitoring, postpartum recovery and mental health.

show abstract

Doing the Month and Asian Cultures: Implications for Health Care

Cited by 10 publications

References 9 publications

Dietary Intake and Food Habits of Pregnant Women Residing in Urban and Rural Areas of Deyang City, Sichuan Province, China

Dietary Intake and Food Habits of Pregnant Women Residing in Urban and Rural Areas of Deyang City, Sichuan Province, China

Medicinal plants used in Hmong women's healthcare in northern Thailand

Chinese Women’s Attitudes Towards Postpartum Interventions to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes After Gestational Diabetes: A Semi-Structured Qualitative Study

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About