The value of social eating at culturally and linguistically diverse lunch clubs: a descriptive study

ABSTRACT

Individuals who experience social isolation or loneliness report poorer psychological wellbeing and increased mortality than those who are socially connected. Older culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) immigrants are a subgroup at greater risk of experiencing social isolation and loneliness. Many ethnic-focussed organizations in South Australia (SA) facilitate regular shared lunches, or “lunch clubs,” to support older CALD immigrants. This study sought to understand the experiences of attending these lunch clubs, and the extent to which they influence perceived health and wellbeing of attendees. Four focus groups (n = 19) were held with individuals who regularly attended one of four cultural lunch clubs (Greek, Ukrainian, Chinese, Italian) in SA. Focus groups were conducted in English and participant’s native language, with the assistance of accredited interpreters. Focus group transcripts were analyzed following a descriptive qualitative approach. Three themes were identified: A rare opportunity for social interaction, maintaining ties to culture in a foreign country, and fostering health and wellbeing. This study offers insight into lunch clubs as a potential intervention to reduce experiences of social isolation and loneliness in vulnerable populations. Future research is needed to measure the impact on health and wellbeing, and to model the most effective modes of delivery.

KEYWORDS:

• CALD
• lunch clubs
• social eating
• qualitative
• focus groups
• loneliness
• wellbeing
• aging

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Multicultural Communities Council of South Australia (MCCSA), Flinders University College of Nursing and Health Sciences, and Flinders University College of Education, Psychology and Social Work.

Notes on contributors

Georgia Middleton

Georgia Middleton: Dr Georgia Middleton is a dietitian and researcher with a passion for food and health research. She has been involved in several research projects focussed on community nutrition, food insecurity, and social and cultural aspects of food, nutrition and eating. Her work has largely used qualitative methodologies and methods to explore relationships with food and food systems. She has worked with a diverse range of population groups, including families, older adults, and marginalized and vulnerable populations. With a particular interest in family food behaviors, Georgia’s PhD focussed on exploring the changes to the family meal over the last quarter of a century, and what this means for contemporary families. Through her research, she hopes to contribute to the ever-expanding field of nutrition, health, and wellbeing, and make a positive impact on individuals and families across the globe.

Stefania Velardo

Stefania Velardo: Dr Stefania Velardo is a Senior Lecturer in Health Education at Flinders University. In her career to date, Stefania has published on the sociology of food, eating and health. Her work has largely used oral and visual qualitative methods to investigate social, cultural and economic influences on people’s relationships with food. Stefania is experienced in conducting qualitative health research with marginalized and vulnerable groups, with a particular interest in inclusive child-centered methodologies. She also works with other vulnerable groups including older Australians and socioeconomically disadvantaged communities. Alongside her academic position, Stefania has worked as the President of the Australian Health Promotion Association (SA Branch) since 2016. This role has enabled her to develop strong leadership, communication and collaboration skills and has afforded her opportunities to work with stakeholders to advocate for a broad range of public policies and initiatives.

Karen A. Patterson

Karen A. Patterson: Dr Karen Patterson’s primary research is in immunology and autoimmune disease where she has worked with both Australian and international research groups. Her published work includes the clinical associations of autoantibodies, DNA damage and nailfold capillaroscopy as biomarkers of disease in systemic sclerosis patients. In addition to her clinical and laboratory research, Karen has an interest in the social and cultural properties of sharing food to increase connections between, and augment the health and wellbeing of, individuals, families, and communities. In 2018 Karen founded The Research Nexus, an organization dedicated to increasing the rate of research translation and to facilitate connections between researchers and the beneficiaries of research outcomes.

John Coveney

John Coveney: John Coveney is Professor of Global Food, Culture and Health in the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Flinders University. Earlier in his career, Professor Coveney worked as a leading nutritionist and dietitian addressing regional, indigenous and international health issues. Professor Coveney has published more than 150 papers, sole-authored several books, and worked on major international projects and collaborations attracting significant research and grant funding. He has research and education interests in public health nutrition; history of food and health; food policy; and social and cultural factors that influence food patterns and food intake. John is convenor of the International Research Collective on Food, Culture and Health.