Experiences of people of Acadian descent receiving hemodialysis in southwest Nova Scotia

Can J Diet Pract Res. 2014 Summer;75(2):e342-45. doi: 10.3148/75.2.2014.e342.

Abstract

We conducted a group interview with five hemodialysis patients of Acadian descent. Our purpose was to learn about their intakes of Acadian foods so we could tailor our advice for other Acadian patients receiving hemodialysis. This approach builds on evidence that addressing cultural aspects of food choice and aligning dietary recommendations with usual intakes create optimal conditions for diet adherence while preserving personal habits and heritage. In this study, "the Acadian diet" held multiple meanings for different participants, participants varied in their intakes of traditional Acadian foods, intakes of traditional Acadian foods were decreasing in younger generations, and the desire to preserve kidney function had priority over eating much-loved traditional foods. These findings support the practices of individualized nutritional and dialysis care and discourage generalized nutrition messages based on assumptions of homogeneity of all people within a cultural group.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Attitude to Health
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Culturally Competent Care*
  • Diet* / ethnology
  • Female
  • Food Preferences / ethnology
  • Group Processes
  • Humans
  • Kidney / physiopathology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nova Scotia
  • Observational Studies as Topic
  • Patient Compliance / ethnology
  • Patient Education as Topic
  • Renal Dialysis / adverse effects*
  • Renal Insufficiency / diet therapy
  • Renal Insufficiency / ethnology
  • Renal Insufficiency / physiopathology
  • Renal Insufficiency / therapy*