A Qualitative Study of the Meaning of Food and Religious Identity

To identify common themes of the meaning of food among people who identify with a specific religious tradition, particularly focusing on potential applications for nutrition education and professional practice at multiple levels of the Social-Ecological Model.

Virtual and in-person focus groups were used to collect qualitative data.

A midsized city in eastern Washington State.

Nine focus groups (n = 35), each representing a distinct religious congregation.

Meaning of food in the context of religion.

Qualitative, reflexive thematic analysis using web-based software to organize data.

Four key themes were identified that applied to both of the overarching focus group topic areas (general and religious): (1) food fosters connection, (2) food influences health, (3) relationships with food are complicated, and (4) food choices reflect values. Subthemes were specific to topic areas. In religious contexts, the meaning of food was more likely understood at a community level in addition to individual and relational levels of the Social-Ecological Model.

Acknowledgment and consideration of the religious identities of patients and clients may provide greater opportunities for community connection, which may have potential implications for community-level nutrition interventions.