Carol Shieh1, Claire Burke Draucker. 1. Author Affiliations: Associate Professor (Dr Shieh) and Angela Barron McBride Endowed Professor of Mental Health Nursing (Dr Draucker), Department of Community Health Systems, Indiana University School of Nursing, Indianapolis.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Excessive maternal gestational weight gain increases pregnancy and infant complications. Self-monitoring has been shown to be an effective strategy in weight management. Literature, however, is limited in describing pregnant women's engagement in self-monitoring. AIM: This qualitative study explored the experiences of overweight and obese pregnant women who self-monitored their eating, walking, and weight as participants in an intervention for excessive gestational weight gain prevention. METHODS: Thirteen overweight and obese pregnant women participated in semistructured interviews. Reflexive iteration data analysis was conducted. FINDINGS: Five themes were identified: making self-monitoring a habit, strategies for self-monitoring, barriers to self-monitoring, benefits of self-monitoring, and drawbacks of self-monitoring. The women viewed self-monitoring as a "habit" that could foster a sense of self-control and mindfulness. Visual or tracing aids were used to maintain the self-monitoring habit. Forgetting, defective tracking aids, complexities of food monitoring, and life events could impede self-monitoring. Being unable to keep up with self-monitoring or to achieve goals created stress. CONCLUSIONS: Self-monitoring is a promising approach to weight management for overweight and obese pregnant women. However, healthcare providers should be aware that, although women may identify several benefits to self-monitoring, for some women, consistently trying to track their behaviors is stressful.
BACKGROUND:Excessive maternal gestational weight gain increases pregnancy and infant complications. Self-monitoring has been shown to be an effective strategy in weight management. Literature, however, is limited in describing pregnant women's engagement in self-monitoring. AIM: This qualitative study explored the experiences of overweight and obese pregnant women who self-monitored their eating, walking, and weight as participants in an intervention for excessive gestational weight gain prevention. METHODS: Thirteen overweight and obese pregnant women participated in semistructured interviews. Reflexive iteration data analysis was conducted. FINDINGS: Five themes were identified: making self-monitoring a habit, strategies for self-monitoring, barriers to self-monitoring, benefits of self-monitoring, and drawbacks of self-monitoring. The women viewed self-monitoring as a "habit" that could foster a sense of self-control and mindfulness. Visual or tracing aids were used to maintain the self-monitoring habit. Forgetting, defective tracking aids, complexities of food monitoring, and life events could impede self-monitoring. Being unable to keep up with self-monitoring or to achieve goals created stress. CONCLUSIONS: Self-monitoring is a promising approach to weight management for overweight and obese pregnant women. However, healthcare providers should be aware that, although women may identify several benefits to self-monitoring, for some women, consistently trying to track their behaviors is stressful.
Authors: Bethany Ellen Jakubowski; Lisa Hinton; Jaspreet Khaira; Nia Roberts; Richard J McManus; Katherine Louise Tucker Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2022-03-18 Impact factor: 2.692