J Acad Nutr Diet. 2018 Oct;118(10):1903-1942.e10. doi: 10.1016/j.jand.2018.06.002. Epub 2018 Aug 20.
Ethnography is a qualitative research approach used to learn about people and their culture. There is a need to explore the application and use of ethnographic methodology in nutrition and dietetics research to inform future research and practice. Our aim was to examine the extent, range, nature, and contribution of ethnographic methodology in nutrition and dietetics research. Eight electronic databases were searched using a defined search strategy until November 2017. No restrictions were placed on language, date, or study design of original research. Two authors independently assessed titles and abstracts, then full-text records, against inclusion criteria. Hand-searching of reviews identified in the database search was undertaken. Quality assessment was conducted using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist. Data were described narratively. A total of 2,185 records were identified, with 92 studies from public health nutrition (n=72), clinical nutrition (n=13), and foodservice (n=7) practice areas meeting inclusion criteria. Common research areas included infant/child feeding, food choice, diabetes, nutrition in schools and food insecurity. In addition to observation, frequently reported data collection techniques were interview (n=85), focus groups (n=17), and document analysis (n=10). Ethnographic research was most often reported from North America (n=31), Europe (n=16), and Australia/Oceania (n=13). This research approach was shown to inform dietetic research and practice by illuminating sociocultural factors that influence dietary beliefs and practices, practitioner training opportunities, evaluating nutrition education methods, informing programs and interventions, identifying nutrition policy and guideline focus areas, and the need for new approaches and communication strategies. Ethnography can increase understanding of complex food and nutrition-related health issues and their contributing factors across public health nutrition, foodservice, and clinical dietetic practice. It can be used to explain health inequalities, direct policy, and inform more effective intervention design and delivery. Wider uptake of this research approach as a stand-alone or complementary study design will advance efforts to improve health and wellbeing through food and nutrition.
民族志是一种定性研究方法，用于了解人们及其文化。需要探讨民族志方法在营养和饮食学研究中的应用和使用情况，以为未来的研究和实践提供信息。我们的目的是检查民族志方法在营养和饮食学研究中的广泛程度、范围、性质和贡献。使用定义的搜索策略，在 2017 年 11 月之前对 8 个电子数据库进行了搜索。对原始研究的语言、日期或研究设计没有任何限制。两名作者独立评估标题和摘要，然后根据纳入标准评估全文记录。对数据库搜索中确定的综述进行了手工搜索。使用批判性评估技能计划清单进行质量评估。数据以叙述方式描述。共确定了 2185 条记录，其中公共卫生营养（n=72）、临床营养（n=13）和餐饮服务（n=7）实践领域的 92 项研究符合纳入标准。常见的研究领域包括婴幼儿喂养、食物选择、糖尿病、学校营养和粮食不安全。除了观察外，经常报告的数据收集技术包括访谈（n=85）、焦点小组（n=17）和文件分析（n=10）。民族志研究报告最多的地区是北美（n=31）、欧洲（n=16）和澳大利亚/大洋洲（n=13）。通过阐明影响饮食信念和实践、实践机会培训、评估营养教育方法、为方案和干预措施提供信息、确定营养政策和准则重点领域以及需要新方法和沟通策略的社会文化因素，该研究方法为饮食学研究和实践提供了信息。民族志可以增加对公共卫生营养、餐饮服务和临床饮食实践中复杂的食物和营养相关健康问题及其促成因素的理解。它可以用于解释健康不平等现象，指导政策，并为更有效的干预措施设计和实施提供信息。更广泛地采用这种研究方法作为独立或补充的研究设计，将有助于通过食物和营养来改善健康和福祉。
