ABSTRACT
(1) Background: In recent years, a growing number of qualitative health research studies have performed discourse analysis of data from participants' narratives. However, little attention has been paid to the gaps and silences within these narratives. The aim of the present study is to interpret the silences detected in the discourse of pregnant and breastfeeding women concerning environmental risks and food safety. (2) Methods: This descriptive, interpretive, observational study was conducted according to a qualitative research paradigm and from a phenomenological and ethnographic perspective. The study sample was composed of 88 intentionally selected women, among whom fifty interviews, three ethnographies and five focus groups were conducted. Data coding and analysis were performed using N-Vivo 12 software. (3) Results: The results obtained show that the women's discourse presented silences that reflected their minimisation of perceived environmental and food risks. However, these women were wary of food produced in the proximity of contaminated areas. Nevertheless, the participants believed they were powerless to overcome environmental pollution and the potential contamination of their own bodies. (4) Conclusions: The participants' minimisation of the environmental risks faced and their inaction in this respect are sustained by the biopolitical practices of public institutions, which have propelled these women into a situation of learned helplessness and social injustice.
Subject(s)
Breast Feeding , Food Safety , Female , Focus Groups , Humans , Pregnancy , Qualitative Research , SpainABSTRACT
Resumen: La obesidad se ha convertido en una prioridad para las políticas de salud pública en España. Basándose en el aumento de su prevalencia ha sido catalogada como una epidemia. A pesar de estas afirmaciones, las investigaciones no parecen siempre tan concluyentes. El objetivo de este artículo es revisar algunas de las 'verdades' en torno a la obesidad: a) que la obesidad va en aumento y es una epidemia en España; b) que existe una relación directa entre peso y salud; y c) que la obesidad tenga su consecuencia única en el desequilibrio entre gasto y consumo energético. Además, dado que las ideas vertidas en torno a la epidemia de la obesidad, y el modo exagerado y alarmista en que se produce, pueden tener consecuencias dañinas e impredecibles sobre la salud de las personas, un segundo objetivo es delinear algunos de los posibles riesgos de estas prácticas de comunicación. (AU)
Resumo: A obesidade tornou-se uma prioridade para as políticas de saúde pública na Espanha. Com base no aumento da prevalência foi classificada como uma epidemia. Apesar dessas afirmações, as investigações nem sempre parecem tão conclusivas. O objetivo deste artigo é analisar algumas das 'verdades' sobre a obesidade: a) que a obesidade está aumentando e é uma epidemia em Espanha; b) existe uma relação direta entre peso e saúde; e c) que a obesidade tenha uma consequência única em um desequilíbrio entre gasto e consumo de energia. Além disso, uma vez expressas as ideias sobre a epidemia da obesidade, a maneira exagerada e alarmista que ocorre pode ter consequências imprevisíveis sobre a saúde das pessoas; um segundo objetivo é delinear alguns dos possíveis riscos dessas práticas de comunicação. (AU)
Abstract: Obesity has become a top priority for public health policies in Spain. Based on increasing prevalence, it has been classified as an epidemic. Despite these claims, research does not always seem so conclusive. The purpose of this article is to review some of the 'truths' about obesity: a) that it is on the rise and is an epidemic in Spain; b) that there is a direct relationship between weight and health; c) that its sole effect is the imbalance between energy expenditure and intake. In addition, since the ideas expressed about the obesity epidemic and the exaggerated and alarmist way they are produced might have harmful and unpredictable consequences on people's health, a second aim is to point out some of the possible risks inherent in those communication practices. (AU)
