Healthy Eating During Pregnancy: Determinants and Supportive Strategies

Fowles, Eileen R.; Fowles, Sarah L

doi:10.1080/07370010802221727

Cited by 33 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…misperception and knowledge gaps for pregnant women and/or maternity caregivers [31-33], professional lack of confidence in being able to help overweight and obese people improve their weight [33,34], inequitable distribution of overweight and obesity such that socio-economic deprivation commonly co-exists and this impedes access to good quality food and safe exercise [35]. …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pregnant women’s knowledge of weight, weight gain, complications of obesity and weight management strategies in pregnancy

et al. 2013

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BackgroundObesity is increasingly common in the obstetric population. Maternal obesity and excess gestational weight gain (GWG) are associated with increased perinatal risk. There is limited published data demonstrating the level of pregnant women’s knowledge regarding these problems, their consequences and management strategies.We aimed to assess the level of knowledge of pregnant women regarding: (i) their own weight and body mass index (BMI) category, (ii) awareness of guidelines for GWG, (iii) concordance of women’s own expectations with guidelines, (iv) knowledge of complications associated with excess GWG, and (v) knowledge of safe weight management strategies in pregnancy.Methods364 pregnant women from a single center university hospital antenatal clinic were interviewed by an obstetric registrar. The women in this convenience sample were asked to identify their weight category, their understanding of the complications of obesity and excessive GWG in pregnancy and safe and/or effective weight management strategies in pregnancy.ResultsNearly half (47.8%) of the study population were overweight or obese. 74% of obese women underestimated their BMI category. 64% of obese women and 40% of overweight women overestimated their recommended GWG. Women’s knowledge of the specific risks associated with excess GWG or maternal obesity was poor. Women also reported many incorrect beliefs about safe weight management in pregnancy.ConclusionsMany pregnant women have poor knowledge about obesity, GWG, their consequences and management strategies. Bridging this knowledge gap is an important step towards improving perinatal outcomes for all pregnant women, especially those who enter pregnancy overweight or obese.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pregnant women’s knowledge of weight, weight gain, complications of obesity and weight management strategies in pregnancy

et al. 2013

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Pregnant women's dietary behaviour is influenced by interpersonal, institutional, and community factors [3]. Nutrition knowledge is one of those numerous factors that may affect women's diet [3] and pregnant women are perceived to be more receptive of nutrition information during pregnancy [4]. Nutrition education during pregnancy has been linked to positive maternal and infant outcomes [5], especially among overweight and obese women [6].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Midwives’ Role in Providing Nutrition Advice during Pregnancy: Meeting the Challenges? A Qualitative Study

Arrish

Yeatman

Williamson

2017

Nursing Research and Practice

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This study explored the Australian midwives' role in the provision of nutrition advice. Little is known about their perceptions of this role, the influence of the model of care, and the barriers and facilitators that may influence them providing quality nutrition advice to pregnant women. Semistructured telephone interviews were undertaken with a subsample (n = 16) of the members of the Australian College of Midwives who participated in an online survey about midwives' nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and their confidence in providing nutrition advice during pregnancy. Thematic descriptive analysis was used to analyse the data. Midwives believed they have a vital role in providing nutrition advice to pregnant women in the context of health promotion. However, this was not reflected in the advice many of them provided, which in many accounts was passive and medically directed. The extent and efficacy of their role appear to be challenged by many structural barriers. Midwives suggested facilitators that may assist in overcoming these challenges. Midwives need assistance, support, and guidance to provide holistic nutrition advice that assists women to achieve healthy pregnancies. A collaborative approach between midwifery bodies, nutrition and education experts, and maternity care services may provide an effective way forward.

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“…This theoretical framework considers multiple levels of influence that impact health behaviors and outcomes, including: (1) intrapersonal factors (psychological and biological), (2) interpersonal processes (social network and support systems), (3) organizational factors (social institutions), (4) community factors (relationships among organizations and networks), (5) and public policy (local, state, and national laws and policies). Ecological models have been applied to a variety of health behaviors, including physical activity and healthy eating [34–36]. …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Qualitative Study of Factors Affecting Pregnancy Weight Gain in African American Women

Goodrich

Cregger

Wilcox

et al. 2012

Matern Child Health J

102

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African Americans and overweight or obese women are at increased risk for excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) and postpartum weight retention. Interventions are needed to promote healthy GWG in this population; however, research on exercise and nutritional barriers during pregnancy in African American women is limited. The objective of this qualitative study is to better inform intervention messages by eliciting information on perceptions of appropriate weight gain, barriers to and enablers of exercise and healthy eating, and other influences on healthy weight gain during pregnancy in overweight or obese African American women. In-depth interviews were conducted with 33 overweight or obese African American women in Columbia, South Carolina. Women were recruited in early to mid-pregnancy (8–23 weeks gestation, n = 10), mid to late pregnancy (24–36 weeks, n = 15), and early postpartum (6–12 weeks postpartum, n = 8). Interview questions and data analysis were informed using a social ecological framework. Over 50 % of women thought they should gain weight in excess of the range recommended by the Institute of Medicine. Participants were motivated to exercise for personal health benefits; however they also cited many barriers to exercise, including safety concerns for the fetus. Awareness of the maternal and fetal benefits of healthy eating was high. Commonly cited barriers to healthy eating include cravings and availability of unhealthy foods. The majority of women were motivated to engage in healthy behaviors during pregnancy. However, the interviews also uncovered a number of misconceptions and barriers that can serve as future intervention messages and strategies.

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Healthy Eating During Pregnancy: Determinants and Supportive Strategies

Cited by 33 publications

References 44 publications

Pregnant women’s knowledge of weight, weight gain, complications of obesity and weight management strategies in pregnancy

Pregnant women’s knowledge of weight, weight gain, complications of obesity and weight management strategies in pregnancy

Midwives’ Role in Providing Nutrition Advice during Pregnancy: Meeting the Challenges? A Qualitative Study

A Qualitative Study of Factors Affecting Pregnancy Weight Gain in African American Women

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