Factors associated with knowledge of personal gestational weight gain recommendations

Abstract

ObjectivesExcess adiposity (obesity and excess gestational weight gain, GWG) during pregnancy (EADP) increases risk for gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and child and maternal obesity. Personal GWG goals predict total GWG. Some estimates suggest only 30% of pregnant women have personal GWG goals that are congruent with Institute of Medicine GWG recommendations. The primary purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which perceived pre-pregnancy weight status, healthcare provider advice, knowledge of EADP risks, and value for healthy GWG predicted knowledge of GWG recommendations. The secondary purpose was to determine sources of GWG information among pregnant women.MethodsPregnant women with a confirmed singleton pregnancy completed a one-time survey in obstetric clinic waiting rooms. Logistic regression analysis was used.Results246 predominantly African American, low income, overweight/obese women completed surveys. Average age was 25 (SD 5.3) and gestation age ranged from 7 to 40 weeks. Knowledge of pre-pregnancy weight status was the only unique predictor of GWG recommendation knowledge (B = .642, p = .03). The top three sources of GWG information were physicians, internet, and books. The least frequently reported sources of GWG information were other healthcare providers, community programs, and television.ConclusionIn low income diverse overweight/obese pregnant women, accurate pre-pregnancy weight status perception was the only significant unique predictor of knowledge of GWG recommendations. Physicians were the preferred source of GWG information. Clinicians should have frequent, ongoing conversations about weight status with women before, during, and after pregnancy.

Patient–Provider Communication and Counseling about Gestational Weight Gain and Physical Activity: A Qualitative Study of the Perceptions and Experiences of Latinas Pregnant with their First Child

“…The most important finding of this study was that participants, including women who self-identified as being overweight prior to pregnancy, reported a lack of or limited advice from their healthcare providers on GWG. This finding is consistent with prior research on women from multiple racial/ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds [ 16 , 19 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. In addition, women in the current study reported that this lack of communication and counseling about GWG left them unsure as to whether their GWG was appropriate or concerning.…”

“…The lack of patient–provider communication about GWG and PA led most women to seek information from other sources such as the Internet, books, and interpersonal communication with family members and friends with children. Our findings concur with previous research [ 8 , 22 , 33 ] that demonstrates that women need access to accurate and reliable sources of information to achieve healthy outcomes during the prenatal and postnatal periods [ 8 , 11 , 17 ]. Understanding Latina women’s beliefs and experiences with GWG and PA during pregnancy is critical to the development of interventions that seek to optimize recommended GWG [ 17 ].…”

“…In addition, women in the current study reported that this lack of communication and counseling about GWG left them unsure as to whether their GWG was appropriate or concerning. Consistent with prior research, study findings showed that women wanted more information from their healthcare providers on GWG and that they especially valued receiving advice from their primary healthcare providers [ 27 , 32 , 33 ]. A provider’s advice is critical in helping women meet appropriate GWG targets as set by the IOM [ 10 , 11 ], and it may be even more critical for racial/ethnic minority women who may be less aware of GWG recommendations [ 11 ] and more likely to exceed recommended GWG [ 3 , 6 , 22 ].…”

What the Health? Information Sources and Maternal Lifestyle Behaviors (Preprint)

“…However, the population sizes were generally small (n = 17-60) [8,12,13,18,20,23], and information sources were rarely the main outcome [8,12,16,[19][20][21][22][23]. Three studies had moderate methodological quality and sufficient population sizes (n = 350-368) [7,9,24].…”

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“…O Institute of Medicine dos Estados Unidos (IOM-EUA) reconhece o peso pré-gestacional como um dos principais determinantes do ganho ponderal na gestação e recomenda que o ganho de peso ideal seja avaliado em função do estado nutricional inicial da gestante, sendo este definido de acordo com as categorias de índice de massa corpórea (IMC) pré-concepcional 4,5 . Os parâmetros utilizados para a vigilância nutricional nas gestantes são: IMC por semana gestacional e ganho de peso gestacional 6 .…”