Journal of Nutrition & Food Sciences
Open Access
ISSN: 2155-9600
+32 25889658
ISSN: 2155-9600
+32 25889658
Susan Knox, Judith McAra-Couper and Andrea Gilkison
Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Nutr Food Sci
With increasing rates of maternal obesity, responding to the challenge of obesity prevention and promoting healthy weight gain in pregnancy has never been more important for lead maternity carers. In Aotearoa New Zealand, nutritionprogramme policy targeting pregnant women has been developed. While prevention efforts are gaining some momentum, there is little sign that current approaches to promoting healthy gestational weight gain will help tackle obesity. Despite agreement that making healthy change during pregnancy is beneficial, there are complex social factors at play which shape pregnant womenâÂ?Â?s food choices and eating behaviours. The differing cultural values and beliefs around eating and food choices make it challenging for lead maternity carers to provide culturally responsive nutrition advice within antenatal consultations. Factors influencing food choice are not only based upon individual preferences, but are constrained by circumstances that are social, cultural and economical. MÃ?Âori, Pacific peoples and low-income groups face specific challenges when attempting dietary change and solutions need to be specifically targeted. This session will examine the literature around the factors which influence womenâÂ?Â?s health beliefs and affect the uptake of nutrition advice during pregnancy. Discussion will focus on the need to review current approaches and culturally tailor programmes, not only to effect change in dietary behaviours but to reduce obesity-related inequalities in Aotearoa New Zealand over the next 25 years. How can lead maternity carers respond to policy challenges and make nutritional knowledge meaningful and accessible to women cross-cultures? susan_knox@hotmail.com