title: Exploring the Meanings that Dietitians Associate with their Role of Mother and Dietitian and How They Translate into Child-feeding Practices.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the meanings that dietitians associate with their role of mother and dietitian and how they translate into child-feeding practices.
  
  
  METHODS
  The ideological case-study approach of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, a qualitative research design, was utilized. A convenience sample of 3 dietitians was recruited from the faculty of a university nutrition department. Dietitians participated in semi-structured interviews that were voice-recorded and transcribed. Data were thematically organized and interpreted using the theory of Symbolic Interactionism.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five themes were developed: the evolution of food-related practices, tensions between the role of dietitian and mother, mealtime interaction, integration of dietetic values in child-feeding practices, and the individuality of the mother. Dietitian mothers used various parenting styles when interacting with their children. Their beliefs about best practice in child-feeding correspond with the recommendations of their dietetic profession. Their perception of what it meant to be a good mother was influenced by their identity as a dietitian.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dietitian mothers need to be aware of the influence of professional discourse; professional thoughts can influence personal thoughts and actions related to child-feeding practices. Further exploration of the topic including maternal and child-feeding practices from the child's perspective is warranted.
authors.affiliation: a Applied Human Nutrition, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, NS.
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Coughlin
authors.affiliation: b Applied Human Nutrition, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, NS.
authors.forename: Daphne
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lordly
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002664:Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005248:Feeding Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008425:Maternal Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D062407:Meals; D009034:Mother-Child Relations / Q000523:psychology*; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D064686:Nutritionists / Q000523:psychology*; D024382:Professional Role / Q000523:psychology*