Research Statement of Tara Maudrie

Abstract

My proposed dissertation research aims to understand how positive mental health relationships with eating and nutrition can be supported through American Indian/ Alaska Native (AI/AN) cultural eating values. Intuitive Eating is an evidence-based intervention that aims to heal damaged relationships with food through an adaptive eating pattern that is grounded in positive psychology. While Intuitive Eating has shown to be positively associated with higher diet quality and reduced disk of chronic disease (including T2D) among the general population, no research has explored whether this intervention or its components are culturally relevant for AI/ANs and aligns with AI/AN cultural eating values. Therefore, the current proposed project aims to: (1) Explore what AI/AN cultural food values are important and salient in two urban AI/AN communities, Baltimore and Minneapolis; and (2) Understand feasibility and acceptability of adapting Intuitive Eating in the Baltimore and Minneapolis urban AI/AN communities. I will conduct two FGDs with 5-8 participants per community ( N = 10-16 participants total). FGDs will inquire about: a) participants’ definitions of cultural food values; and b) how those values relate to mental health relationships with food and nutrition (e.g., mana-ging/preventing diabetes); c) explore perceptions of the Intuitive Eating program, includ-ing its compatibility (or lack thereof) with AI/AN cultural food values; d) feasibility and acceptability of adapting Intuitive Eating with urban AI/ANs. This community-based participatory research is aligned with community priorities to address and prevent T2D and with cultural strengths (cultural food and health values).