Learning from Experiences, Adherence, (preconception)Pregnancy(postpartum), Stigma
About Us
Welcome to LEApPpS. This research program founded in 2023 is hosted at The University of Alberta in the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation.
This research program aims to understand and share lessons learned from experiences of individuals before (preconception), during and after (postpartum) pregnancy, including navigating various spaces like healthcare and physical activity environments. The goal is to facilitate adherence to health behaviours and resources to improve maternal and newborn health. Together, we want to learn about, challenge and reduce health-related stigmas that may act as barriers to individual health goals and access to resources. Please contact us if you have any questions and for collaborations!
Recent News and Announcements
Congrats to our practicum students for completing their projects! Rebecca Pallister (left) assessed a 7-week group physical activity program for its enjoyability and impact on self-efficacy for exercise among new adolescent mothers; Brooke Hebert (middle) completed a content analysis of blogs recommending what is appropriate and inapprorpriate to say about bodies during pregnancy; Abigail Tiemstra (right) led a narrative review on the definition of exercise professionals in academic literature!
[April 2024]
Brooke Hebert (bottom; practicum student and incoming MSc student) presented her practicum research and MSc student Jordyn Cox (top) shared her poster on a scoping review she led about the Edmonton Obesity Staging System and its use in pregnancy at the Obesity Canada Summit!
[April 2024]
Dr. Taniya Nagpal is this year's recipient of the TOPS New Investigator Award with Obesity Canada! Learn more about her research and award here: Honoring Dr. Taniya Nagpal: Recipient of the TOPS New Investigator Award for Advancements in Obesity and Pregnancy Research
[April 2024]
Our practicum students presenting their research at KSR Research Day, along with undergraduate volunteer Hanna Randhawa (bottom left) who led an environmental scan on recommended career paths promoted by Canadian kinesiology undergraduate programs!
[March 2024]
Congrats to Jordyn Cox who received a CIHR Michael Smith Foreign Study Supplement! Jordyn is headed to Western Kentucky University next fall to work with Dr. Rachel Tinius and explore the use of her Bumpt Up mobile app with marginalized populations!
[December 2023]
Dr. Taniya Nagpal was an expert speaker for Obesity Canada's Connected Conversations on weight stigma in pregnancy and postpartum!
[November 2023]
Territorial Acknowledgement
The University of Alberta, its buildings, labs, and research stations are primarily located on the traditional territory of Cree, Blackfoot, Métis, Nakota Sioux, Iroquois, Dene, and Ojibway/Saulteaux/Anishinaabe nations; lands that are now known as part of Treaties 6, 7, and 8 and homeland of the Métis. The University of Alberta respects the sovereignty, lands, histories, languages, knowledge systems, and cultures of First Nations, Métis and Inuit nations.