(PO06-15-22) Sociocultural Influences on Dietary Behavior and Meal Timing Among Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Women at Risk of Endometrial Cancer: A Qualitative Investigation

Objectives: Determine sociocultural influences on dietary behavior, body image, weight loss, and perceptions of the cultural appropriateness of a meal-timing intervention design and menu among Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) women at risk of endometrial cancer.

Methods: Six 90-minute videoconference focus groups among NHPI women (N=35) recruited by a community champion in Utah. Eligible women were aged ≥18 years at risk of endometrial cancer (i.e., BMI ≥25kg/m², history of non-insulin dependent diabetes or complex atypical endometrial hyperplasia) had a working cell phone capable of downloading a phone app, could use their cell phone during the day, and were not night-shift workers. Eleven semi-structured questions were posed during the focus groups. De-identified transcript data were analyzed using an inductive qualitative approach based on Hatch’s 9-step approach.

Results: Overarching themes included economic factors, cultural influences, meal choice and timing, and perceptions of health. Subthemes included affordability, waste avoidance, inundated schedules, and cultural influences. Perceptions of body size and weight loss were influenced by family, community, and social media, whose messages could be conflicting. Important intervention components included satisfying, convenient pre-made meals, while barriers included the need to cook for family members.

Conclusions: Dietary interventions targeting metabolic health among NHPI women should consider the multitude of sociocultural and economic factors that influence food choices and meal timing in this population, including affordability, hectic schedules, and immigrant adjustment. Promoting the link between physical and mental well-being as opposed to weight loss is a key approach to reaching this population.

Funding Sources: This work was supported by 5 For the Fight and the Huntsman Cancer Institute Cancer Control and Population Sciences Pilot Program; Huntsman Cancer Center (P30CA040214); University of Utah’s Clinical and Translational Science Institute; the V Foundation for Cancer Research; the Research Foundation of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons; and the National Cancer Institute (Grants 5R00CA218694-03 and K01CA234319), an entity of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).