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Social influences on sugar consumption during pregnancy
Author(s) -
Graham Jocelyn,
Forbes Laura E,
Mayan Maria,
McCargar Linda,
Bell Rhonda C
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.26.1_supplement.380.1
Subject(s) - pregnancy , added sugar , sugar , environmental health , medicine , food intake , obesity , psychology , developmental psychology , food science , endocrinology , biology , genetics
Studies of dietary intake during pregnancy have shown that many women increase their sugar intake during this time, which may contribute to poor diet quality and excess weight gain. The purpose of this research is to investigate physiological, social, and environmental factors that influence sugar intake during pregnancy. Guided by the methodology of focused ethnography, a series of semi‐structured interviews (n=8) have been conducted with pregnant women of varying sugar intakes. Transcripts were analyzed using qualitative content analysis to inductively derive knowledge about sugar intake. Preliminary findings from this study that have reached saturation include three social influences on sugar intake behaviours. Women conveyed an attitude that the state of pregnancy is a license to indulge in foods that are usually limited or avoided. Fathers could have either a positive or negative effect on the sugar intakes of women depending on their own dietary habits and views. Furthermore, social expectations of nutrition in pregnancy affected people's behaviours towards pregnant women and influenced eating behaviours during pregnancy. Strategies to facilitate healthier diets during pregnancy may include altering women's beliefs and attitude towards food and weight gain, including the father in nutritional counseling, and public health campaigns to increase knowledge of nutrition during pregnancy.