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Abstract
This qualitative study explored perimenopausal women's perceptions and experiences
of continuity and change in dietary behavior. This study used a naturalistic paradigm
and three in-depth qualitative interviews over a 13-month period. A purposive sample
of 23 perimenopausal women was recruited from community health centers and social
organizations in rural and urban areas of Québec.The semistructured interview guide
focused on dietary and lifestyle changes, health and body changes, social roles, and
the menopause experience. Grounded theory analysis was performed on the transcribed
interviews. Women's narratives described three types of dietary trajectories: unsuccessful
dieting, small change, and progressive change. Women with similar trajectories shared
experiences with food, dieting practices, self-efficacy, and transition in the maternal
role. Although most women reported continuing on the same dietary trajectory for most
of their adult lives, a few described changes in their diets. Some women associated
their small changes in diet with being informed of the potential development of chronic
diseases, whereas others radically changed their diets following life events such
as the development of an illness. Menopause per se was not perceived by women as a
time for dietary change. Health and nutrition professionals could improve the impact
of their efforts by recognizing the contribution of past dietary behavior to current
dietary practices. Dietary advice would also benefit from being tailored to women's
existing dietary trajectories.
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© 2000 Society for Nutrition Education. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.