Filipino CultureBy: Lindsey Theriot & Ornisha Brown

Communication

Nonverbal

Smile and warm welcoming

Polite vs. artificial

Wear appropriate clothing

Interactions between women and men

Eye contact and personal space

“Mano”

Verbal

Not Polite to discuss politics or religion

Introducing yourself

Conversation is contextual

“Harana”

Interpersonal Interactions•Interdependent/Protective•“utang ng loob”•Equality•“Hiya”•“pakikisama”

Marriage and Family

•Women- house, family and garden; health care providers, teachers, clerks•Men- tend the land; construction , machine upkeep

Gender Roles

•Elderly• Female service providers

Healthcare provider

• Sleep inside when hosts sleep outsideGuests

Meaning of:

• Prevention and Curing• Social and culture contactHealth

• Prevention and curing• Start with self-monitoring Illness

• 24-hour vigil• “Showy”• Catholic, “An Act of God”• Cremation

Death

Nutrient/Dietary intake Health Beliefs

• Mainly consume▫ Vegetables▫ Fish▫ Rice and other grains

• Increased consumption of milk and milk products

• Principle of Balance (Timbang)▫ Rapid shifts from hot to cold▫ Warm environments▫ Cold drinks or cooling foods▫ A layer of fat is to vital energy

Nutritional Status Health Status

• Decreased intake of grains • Food insecurity is high in

rural areas• Due to decreased

consumption, weight has decreased

• Children lack vitamin A, Iron, Iodine and protein

• ~22% of the population is undernourished

• ~302% of children under 5 are malnourished

Traditional medical practices

• Faith healers▫ Three forms of treatment

• Nonpharmaceutical • Diet• Exercise

Food Customs

Common Foods Preparation Methods

• Lumpia• Sinangag• Pochero• Bagoong• Pandesal• Pancit (rice noodles)• Halo Halo• Maja Blanca

• Adobo• Bagoong (fermented fish)• Patis (fish extract)

Food CustomsTherapeutic uses/Beliefs of food: Holidays/Celebrations/Festivals:

Food CustomsTypical meal/ Pattern Symbolism of foods:

• Breakfast served at 6am• Lunch and dinner consist of light

meals • Small portions • All courses served at the same

time

• Noodles symbolize prosperity

Acculturation in the U.S.

Filipino Patient (Case Study)

• Traditional Filipino dishes that are low in sodium and saturated fat

• Educated on popular holiday and family dishes Diet

• Maintain eye contact and personal space between client and counselor, treat the client as they are an equal

Communication

• Is there support at home; is he married and or have children?

• What type of environment is he in at work?

Patient’s social and family

support

Filipino Patient•A- 52 y.o. Filipino male, 155lb, 5’5’’, BMI- 25.8, IBW- 136lb, %IBW- 114%,

treated for myocardial infarction; computer programmer for a large firm, has lived in the U.S. of 34 years but still has Filipino ties; typical diet includes longganiza, bagoong, and sawsawan for dinner; Physician recommended counseling for a saturated fat and sodium restricted diet

•D-Excessive fat intake related to overconsumption of Filipino foods, such as longganiza and bagoong, as evidence by a BMI of 25.8 and mayocardial infarction.

• I- Nutrition counseling on preparing low sodium foods. Modifying portion sizes and the use of sauces with meals. Nutrition education on risk factors of being overweight. Educate patient on Filipino food choices that contain limited amounts of saturated fat.

• M/E- Return in two weeks to evaluate 24-hour food record. Monitor dietary intake for progress and experienced complications with diet modifications. Evaluate updated weight and lab levels.