Motivating Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women in Spain to Avoid Persistent Toxic Substances in Their Diet

Andres Fontalba-Navas, Eva Zafra Aparici, Maria Clara de Moraes Prata-Gaspar, Esther Herrera-Espejo, Miguel Company-Morales and Cristina Larrea-Killinger
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Andres Fontalba-Navas: Antequera Hospital, Northern Málaga Integrated Healthcare Area, 29200 Antequera, Málaga, Spain
Eva Zafra Aparici: Department of Anthropology, Philosophy and Social Work, University Rovira y Virgili, 43003 Tarragona, Spain
Maria Clara de Moraes Prata-Gaspar: Department of Social Anthropology, University of Barcelona, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
Esther Herrera-Espejo: Department of Psychology, University of Granada, 18010 Granada, Spain
Miguel Company-Morales: Seron Primary Care Center, Northern Almería Integrated Healthcare Area, 04600 Huercal-Overa, Almería, Spain
Cristina Larrea-Killinger: Department of Social Anthropology, University of Barcelona, 08007 Barcelona, Spain

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 23, 1-13

Abstract: The objective of this study was to explore what motivates pregnant and breastfeeding women to make changes in their diet, specifically to examine how their perceptions regarding diet facilitate or act as obstacles to introducing healthy eating habits. For the optimal development of the mother, the fetus, or breastfeeding baby, it is important to avoid foods containing substances, such as persistent toxic substances (PTSs), that are harmful to health during pregnancy and after the baby’s birth. This study used a qualitative research methodology, based on semi-structured individual interviews, food diaries, free lists, and focus groups with 111 pregnant and breastfeeding women in Spain. This approach was followed by a systematic and exhaustive exploitation of the qualitative data obtained, following the methodological principles of grounded theory. From the study results, we conclude that the motivation for a change in diet to avoid PTSs is based on the desire to promote good health, beliefs about the importance of having a varied diet, and the avoidance of potential risks. The main obstacles to change can be attributed to inadequate information, contradictory discourses, and socioeconomic difficulties.

Keywords: pregnancy; breastfeeding; diet; persistent toxic substances; motivation; helplessness (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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