Abstract
To investigate perceptions of minority pregnant women and providers about obesity and gestational weight gain (GWG), and to explore strategies to improve management of obesity in pregnancy with an emphasis on group prenatal care. Sixteen primarily non-Hispanic black pregnant women with a body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2 and 19 prenatal care providers participated in focus groups. Discussion topics included GWG goals, body image, health behaviors, and group prenatal care with additional emphasis on provider training needs. Women frequently stated a GWG goal >20 lbs. Women described a body image not in line with clinical recommendations (“200 pounds is not that big.”). They avoided the term “obese”. They were interested in learning about nutrition and culturally-acceptable healthy cooking. Women would enjoy massage and exercise in group settings, though definitions of “exercise” varied. Family members could help, but generational differences posed challenges. Most had to “encourage myself” and “do this for me and the baby”. Providers expressed discomfort discussing GWG and difficulty finding the right words for obesity, which was partially attributed to their own weight. They noted the challenges they faced during prenatal care including time constraints, cultural myths, and system issues. Providers considered a group setting with social support an ideal environment to address health behaviors in obese women. Culturally-tailored programs that use acceptable terms for obesity, provide education regarding healthy eating and safe exercise, and encourage support from social networks may be effective in addressing GWG in obese minority women. Provider training in communication skills is necessary to address obesity in pregnancy.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1698-1712 |
| Number of pages | 15 |
| Journal | Maternal and child health journal |
| Volume | 19 |
| Issue number | 8 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Aug 24 2015 |
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Keywords
- Health disparities
- Obesity
- Prenatal care
- Provider education
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Epidemiology
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Cite this
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Obesity in Pregnancy : A Qualitative Approach to Inform an Intervention for Patients and Providers. / Kominiarek, Michelle A.; Gay, Franklin; Peacock, Nadine.
In: Maternal and child health journal, Vol. 19, No. 8, 24.08.2015, p. 1698-1712.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - Obesity in Pregnancy
T2 - A Qualitative Approach to Inform an Intervention for Patients and Providers
AU - Kominiarek, Michelle A.
AU - Gay, Franklin
AU - Peacock, Nadine
PY - 2015/8/24
Y1 - 2015/8/24
N2 - To investigate perceptions of minority pregnant women and providers about obesity and gestational weight gain (GWG), and to explore strategies to improve management of obesity in pregnancy with an emphasis on group prenatal care. Sixteen primarily non-Hispanic black pregnant women with a body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2 and 19 prenatal care providers participated in focus groups. Discussion topics included GWG goals, body image, health behaviors, and group prenatal care with additional emphasis on provider training needs. Women frequently stated a GWG goal >20 lbs. Women described a body image not in line with clinical recommendations (“200 pounds is not that big.”). They avoided the term “obese”. They were interested in learning about nutrition and culturally-acceptable healthy cooking. Women would enjoy massage and exercise in group settings, though definitions of “exercise” varied. Family members could help, but generational differences posed challenges. Most had to “encourage myself” and “do this for me and the baby”. Providers expressed discomfort discussing GWG and difficulty finding the right words for obesity, which was partially attributed to their own weight. They noted the challenges they faced during prenatal care including time constraints, cultural myths, and system issues. Providers considered a group setting with social support an ideal environment to address health behaviors in obese women. Culturally-tailored programs that use acceptable terms for obesity, provide education regarding healthy eating and safe exercise, and encourage support from social networks may be effective in addressing GWG in obese minority women. Provider training in communication skills is necessary to address obesity in pregnancy.
AB - To investigate perceptions of minority pregnant women and providers about obesity and gestational weight gain (GWG), and to explore strategies to improve management of obesity in pregnancy with an emphasis on group prenatal care. Sixteen primarily non-Hispanic black pregnant women with a body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2 and 19 prenatal care providers participated in focus groups. Discussion topics included GWG goals, body image, health behaviors, and group prenatal care with additional emphasis on provider training needs. Women frequently stated a GWG goal >20 lbs. Women described a body image not in line with clinical recommendations (“200 pounds is not that big.”). They avoided the term “obese”. They were interested in learning about nutrition and culturally-acceptable healthy cooking. Women would enjoy massage and exercise in group settings, though definitions of “exercise” varied. Family members could help, but generational differences posed challenges. Most had to “encourage myself” and “do this for me and the baby”. Providers expressed discomfort discussing GWG and difficulty finding the right words for obesity, which was partially attributed to their own weight. They noted the challenges they faced during prenatal care including time constraints, cultural myths, and system issues. Providers considered a group setting with social support an ideal environment to address health behaviors in obese women. Culturally-tailored programs that use acceptable terms for obesity, provide education regarding healthy eating and safe exercise, and encourage support from social networks may be effective in addressing GWG in obese minority women. Provider training in communication skills is necessary to address obesity in pregnancy.
KW - Health disparities
KW - Obesity
KW - Prenatal care
KW - Provider education
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84937818371&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84937818371&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s10995-015-1684-3
DO - 10.1007/s10995-015-1684-3
M3 - Article
C2 - 25652058
AN - SCOPUS:84937818371
VL - 19
SP - 1698
EP - 1712
JO - Maternal and Child Health Journal
JF - Maternal and Child Health Journal
SN - 1092-7875
IS - 8
ER -