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Let’s not Sugar-Coat it: Exploring Differences of Sugar Consumption Behaviours During Pregnancy Through Focused Ethnography
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- Author / Creator
- Graham, Jocelyn E.
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Excessive sugar consumption may adversely affect maternal and fetal health. This study explored influences on women’s sugar consumption behaviours during pregnancy using focused ethnography. Fifteen pregnant women were interviewed and qualitative content analysis was used to inductively derive themes. Pregnant women increased their intake of sugars in an effort to achieve a compromise between meeting nutrition recommendations, lifestyle adjustments, physical symptoms, and cultural norms. Some women maintained
their sugar intake compared to non-pregnancy as part of their dietary routine. Women who lowered their sugar intake had made a conscious decision and were motivated by personal and fetal health. Physical symptoms, lack of nutritional guidance, and social pressures were identified as barriers to achieving a diet low in sugars, while implementing dietary strategies guided by nutritional knowledge was a facilitator. This research provides important insights that may be used to design effective interventions to improve maternal health. -
- Subjects / Keywords
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- Graduation date
- Fall 2012
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- Type of Item
- Thesis
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- Degree
- Master of Science
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- License
- This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.