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Critical Dietetics: Axiological Foundations

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Critical Dietetics and Critical Nutrition Studies

Part of the book series: Food Policy ((FP))

Abstract

The aim of this chapter is to firstly introduce the core values, theories, and methods of Critical Dietetics and, secondly, to discuss the implications of the core values and theories for critical dietetic praxis within traditional practice areas as well as through advocacy and activism.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    For a discussion of definitions of social justice and health equity, see Brady, this volume.

  2. 2.

    For a more thorough discussion of epistemology and positivism within dietetics, see Gingras and Brady (2010).

  3. 3.

    Microaggression is a term coined by psychiatrist and Harvard professor Chester M. Pierce in 1970 to describe insults and dismissals he regularly witnessed non-black Americans inflict on African Americans (Wikipedia).

  4. 4.

    Note that we use scare quote around the term “obesity” to indicate our rejection of the term as an inherently medicalizing and discriminatory word.

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Further Reading and Resources

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Applied Human Nutrition, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, NS, Canada

    Jennifer Brady

  2. Department of Sociology, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Jacqui Gingras

Authors
  1. Jennifer Brady
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  2. Jacqui Gingras
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jennifer Brady .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia

    John Coveney

  2. Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia

    Sue Booth

Appendices

Assignments

  1. 1.

    Recall the scenario described early on in this paper in which your view of a situation outside is both focused and also limited by the windows of a house. Generate a list of theories that resonate with your current worldview. How did you come to this way of thinking about the world? What experiences shaped how you see the world around you? What is it about the theories that you chose support and reinforce your worldview? Reflecting on the question asked of you in the preceding chapter, have you changed your way of thinking about the world? Would you have listed the same theories had we asked you this question 5 years ago? Why or why not?

  2. 2.

    Write a short (1–2 pages) reflexive piece in which you discuss the following questions: What do you believe is the role of the dietitian in effecting change related to the issues discussed above? Should dietitians be involved in advocacy and activism? Why or why not? Share your thoughts with a fellow dietitian or classmate. What was their response?

Definition of Keywords and Terms

Anti-oppression:

Anti-oppression is an approach or paradigm that is rooted in ending systemic oppression of all kinds, including, but not limited to, racism, sexism classism, homo- and transphobia, sizeism, and so on.

Axiology:

Axiology is the study of what is valued, or what is considered to be of value. Critical Dietetic axiology comprises the approaches, knowledges, political commitments, and practices that form the central core of Critical Dietetics.

Critical praxis:

Praxis was first defined by scholar-activist Paulo Freire (2012) as “reflection and action directed at the structures to be transformed” (p. 32). For Critical Dietetics, critical praxis comprises the expression of the insights garnered by critical social theory through action for social justice.

Epistemology:

Epistemology is a concept that describes the various ways of understanding what counts as knowledge. There are many epistemologies. Mainstream dietetic knowledge and practice are informed by positivist epistemology which understands knowledge creation as the process of uncovering truths about the world through the scientific method. Critical Dietetics is informed by a post-structural epistemology wherein truth is understood as being in constant flux and knowledge creation as requiring multiple, differently situated perspectives, approaches, and methods.

Intersectionality:

Intersectionality was coined by feminist legal scholar Kimberle Crenshaw (1991) to describe the ways in which the experience of and social structures supporting one form of oppression vary when intersecting with other forms of oppression.

Microaggression:

Microaggressions comprise the subtle everyday intended or unintended acts, such as direct verbal harassment or misrepresentation in the media, that collectively contribute to the social exclusion of oppressed groups.

Reflexivity:

Reflexivity describes a practice wherein one is attentive to and reflects critically upon the situated worldview, values, and knowledge of self and others then questioning how those are informed by power, being moved to act to redress inequities, and seeking again to revise worldview, values, and knowledge of self and others based on reflection on action. Reflexivity is not synonymous with reflection given the process does not end with examining worldview, values, and knowledge; this is only the beginning of an iterative (cyclical) process.

How This Chapter Addresses the Critical Dietetic Framework

This chapter addresses all four elements of the Critical Dietetics framework as outlined in this volume. In elaborating the axiological foundations of Critical Dietetics, this chapter provides an in-depth discussion of the values and political commitments that inform the movement including multidisciplinary and trans-theoretical approaches to understanding nutrition, food, health, and people; critical reflexive praxis; knowledge co-creation that values contributions from clients and their families, communities, and service providers; and social just dietetic practice.

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Brady, J., Gingras, J. (2019). Critical Dietetics: Axiological Foundations. In: Coveney, J., Booth, S. (eds) Critical Dietetics and Critical Nutrition Studies. Food Policy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-03113-8_2

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