Enablers and barriers to dietary practices contributing to bone health among early adolescent Somali girls living in Minnesota

Abstract

Purpose: To explore the dietary factors that contribute to bone health among first generation Somali girls and to determine the social and cultural contexts that shape these health behaviors.

Design and methods: Findings presented are from a larger, descriptive qualitative study that used a series of focus groups with four cohorts of 11- to 14-year-old Somali girls (n= 39) living in two Minnesota communities.

Results: Cultural tradition, developmental stage, acculturation, and environment were major factors contributing to the intake of calcium and vitamin D-rich foods.

Practice implications: Findings provide the foundation for the development of culturally relevant promotion of foods rich in calcium and vitamin D.