3rd year PhD presentation - Andreia Ferreira de Moura

Transitioning to parenthood: Factors influencing new parents’ healthy eating behaviours and strategies for change

Info about event

Time

Thursday 24 June 2021,  at 09:00 - 10:30

Location

Teams

Organizer

Department of Management

Click here to join the meeting

On 24 June at 10:00, there will be a 3rd year PhD presentation by Andreria F. de Moura entitled:

Transitioning to parenthood: Factors influencing new parents’ healthy eating behaviours and strategies for change

Supervisors: Jessica Aschemann-Witzel & Alice Grønhøj
Discussants: Karen Brunsø & Tino Bech-Larsen 

 

Abstract
How does the transition to parenthood influence adults’ eating behaviours? What are the constrains for healthy eating among new families? How can the possible constraints be addressed by stakeholders? 

In this 3rd year PhD presentation, I discuss how impactful the transition to parenthood is for the food life course and healthy eating and propose potential strategies for change.

Relying on the evidence of six scientific articles (involving cross-country mixed methods analysis in Europe and Latin America) I show that the transition to parenthood can represent either a window of opportunity or a downturn in the perceived healthy eating among new parents. First, an equalizing effect was found, meaning that self-defined unhealthy eaters perceive to become healthier, and health-focused eaters perceive to decrease the healthiness of dietary behaviours after becoming parents. Second, I show that gendered parenting practices influence the adoption of healthy eating habits among families. Third, the investigations revealed general dilemmas between individual freedom and morality of food choices. The results yield valuable information into the social construction of nutrition discourses and the misleading, confusing and overwhelming nature of nutrition content for parents in social media and beyond. Finally, the work developed points at possible side effects of classical nutrition approaches to families’ eating behaviours and contests current beliefs on family dynamics related to healthy eating practices (e.g. I found that staying-at-home mothers might face more barriers to healthy eating compared to mothers who work outside the home). 

The knowledge presented in this dissertation has theoretical and practical implications for health professionals, public stakeholders and marketing managers interested in developing strategies and products targeted at new families’ healthy eating behaviours. 

Everyone is welcome!