VIDEO: Knowledge of food culture is key when treating IBD in South Asian patients
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In this Healio video series, which focuses on cultural competency in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, Neha D. Shah, MPH, RD, CNSC, CHES, discusses the food culture in South Asia and the associated challenges when treating IBD.
“The provision of IBD care is dependent on the accessibility of dieticians that have an expertise in IBD nutrition, which is limited in many countries in South Asia,” Shah, of the University of California, San Francisco, and Neha Shah Nutrition, said. “It is more common for South Asian dieticians to specialize in South Asian nutrition for cardiovascular disease and diabetes vs. gastrointestinal disorders, such as IBD.”
Shah notes that primary nutrition concerns in South Asians with IBD are like those of the general population and include malnutrition, sarcopenia, micronutrient deficiency and disordered eating. Studies on South Asians with IBD have shown that many believe food led to their disease, and there are stigmas involved when discussing appearance, frequency and consistency of bowel movements with health care providers and family members. In addition, culinary roles between men and women often continue, despite the effect of IBD.
“We need more studies here to learn the patterns to help determine culturally competent medical, nutritional and psychosocial interventions,” Shah said.
Healio is working closely with the South Asian IBD Alliance (SAIA) for this series. There has been an increase in the incidence and prevalence of IBD among South Asians, and the community faces many barriers to treatment and surgery. SAIA focuses on creating resources, research and education for IBD patients and health care providers of South Asian origin to reduce disparities and stigma, promote early diagnosis and improve treatment access.
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