Research Showcase Abstracts
Explore abstracts from CFDR’s annual research showcase at the DC Conference.
Year
2023
Category
Research
Language
English
Subtype
Early Bird
Names, Organizational Affiliations, and Locations of all Authors (2022 and Later)
O. Morello1, E. Pellizzari1, M. Erlich1, B. Hartman1
1 School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Brescia University College, London, ON
1 School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Brescia University College, London, ON
Title
Beliefs and behaviours associated with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets among Canadians capable of bearing children.
Introduction/Purpose
There has been an increase in the popularity of plant-based (e.g., vegan and vegetarian) and gluten-free (GF) diets globally. However, there is a paucity of research investigating the beliefs and behaviours of Canadian adults capable of bearing children
Objective(s)/Process or Summary of Content
To explore the beliefs and behaviours of Canadians capable of bearing children who follow a vegan, vegetarian, and/or gluten-free diet.
Method(s)/Systemic Approach Used
Participants were recruited through social media to complete a 102-item questionnaire designed to assess the beliefs, behaviours, and knowledge associated with a vegan, vegetarian, and/or GF diet. Analysis included response frequencies for quantitative variables and use of open-coding to organize qualitative responses into themes.
Results/Conclusions
271 participants completed the survey, with 27%, 21.8%, and 3.7% indicating they followed a vegan, vegetarian, and GF diet, respectively. Almost ¼ of participants indicated a hesitation to tell others about their current dietary habits. Of these individuals, a fear of judgement and stigma around their diet was the most common theme reported (34.3%). Less than half of the sample (43.9%) reported that they did not consume dairy products. Values/ethics surrounding animals and the environment were the top (32.8%) reasons for abstaining from dairy, with health being the second most common reason (14.3%). Conversely, 31.1% of dairy consumers indicated doing so for health/nutritional benefits. Health also appeared to be the primary driver (36%) for individuals’ desire to follow their diet long-term.
Conclusions(s)/Recommendations
These findings confirm the experience of judgment and stigma among Canadian adults capable of childbearing who follow vegetarian, vegan, and/or gluten-free diets. Further, it highlights the role of health beliefs in the dietary behaviours of these individuals.
Significance to Dietetics
Understanding the beliefs and behaviours of individuals following a vegetarian, vegan, and/or GF diet will allow dietitians to better tailor their counselling to meet the needs of the client.
Funded by
None.
