The Church has been suggested as an ideal venue to provide cancer-related health information to African Americans. Because of the central role of “church food” as a symbol of community, the food preparer becomes a channel to reach this high-risk population. A survey of 1,309 members of African American churches in North Carolina revealed that 67% considered themselves as the primary cook for their household. A factor rated as very important was that others enjoy their cooking (93.1%). Friends (85%), children/grandchildren (84%), and pastors (74%) were listed as the most important people to please with their cooking. The perceived importance of others enjoying their cooking significantly correlated with “All modesty aside, I’m known as a very good cook” (p<0.0001), “the way I cook lets friends/family know how much I care about them” (p<0.0001), I think about taste more than I think about how healthy it is “when I am preparing food” (p=0.017) or “when I cook food for a covered-dish supper” (p=0.017), “when I try fixing healthier food and then people don’t like it, it makes me unhappy” (p=0.0005), and “ getting my family to eat healthier food is a real challenge” (p=0.036) Because spirituality and food are intertwined and deeply rooted in the African American community, influencing dietary change for cancer prevention may come into conflict with social and cultural aspects of the food preparers’ role. The unique challenges faced by dietary change interventions are associated with the preparation of healthy food while maintaining cultural norms and traditions.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to: 1) Identify the role of the food preparer in influencing dietary change for cancer prevention, and 2) Describe the unique challenges faced when promoting the preparation of healthy food while maintaining cultural traditions.
Keywords: Cancer Prevention, Community Education
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.