Leigh Morrison1, Melissa DeJonckheere2, Lauren P Nichols2, D Grace Smith3, Melissa A Plegue2, Kimberly McKee2, Karissa Koomen2, Anicia Mirchandani4, Emily Adams5, Tammy Chang6. 1. Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Electronic address: morrisol@med.umich.edu. 2. Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. 3. School of Kinesiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. 4. University of Michigan Medical School, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. 5. Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts. 6. Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE: A large proportion (50%-75%) of youth (younger than 21 years old) who become pregnant gain more weight during pregnancy than is recommended by the National Academy of Medicine. Excess weight gain during pregnancy is a strong risk factor for long-term obesity among mothers and their infants. There is a significant gap in our understanding of youth's knowledge and behavior related to weight gain during pregnancy. To develop effective interventions for pregnant youth, it is necessary to understand their distinct needs and preferences. Using a youth-centered qualitative approach, the purpose of this study was to explore the knowledge, behaviors, and social factors that influence weight gain during pregnancy for youth. DESIGN: Participants completed weekly text message surveys and semistructured interviews to explore their perspectives of weight gain during pregnancy. Data were analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis on the basis of grounded theory. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Pregnant youth ages 16-24 years old recruited from 2 urban, low-income, primary care clinics in Southeast Michigan. INTERVENTIONS, MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES, AND RESULTS: Among our sample (N = 54) 4 themes emerged. First, many youths were knowledgeable about healthy behaviors in pregnancy. However, the second theme showed that many youths reported barriers to engaging in these healthy behaviors, including stress, poor motivation, and issues of convenience. Third, they showed inadequate knowledge about exercise in pregnancy, and fourth, many endorsed food cravings that significantly influenced diet choices. CONCLUSION: Many pregnant youths have appropriate knowledge about healthy behaviors during pregnancy, but face many youth-specific barriers to achieving these behaviors. Interventions should address logistical challenges (eg, food access, cost, transportation) to healthy behaviors in pregnancy to make healthy diet and exercise more convenient for pregnant youth.
STUDY OBJECTIVE: A large proportion (50%-75%) of youth (younger than 21 years old) who become pregnant gain more weight during pregnancy than is recommended by the National Academy of Medicine. Excess weight gain during pregnancy is a strong risk factor for long-term obesity among mothers and their infants. There is a significant gap in our understanding of youth's knowledge and behavior related to weight gain during pregnancy. To develop effective interventions for pregnant youth, it is necessary to understand their distinct needs and preferences. Using a youth-centered qualitative approach, the purpose of this study was to explore the knowledge, behaviors, and social factors that influence weight gain during pregnancy for youth. DESIGN:Participants completed weekly text message surveys and semistructured interviews to explore their perspectives of weight gain during pregnancy. Data were analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis on the basis of grounded theory. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Pregnant youth ages 16-24 years old recruited from 2 urban, low-income, primary care clinics in Southeast Michigan. INTERVENTIONS, MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES, AND RESULTS: Among our sample (N = 54) 4 themes emerged. First, many youths were knowledgeable about healthy behaviors in pregnancy. However, the second theme showed that many youths reported barriers to engaging in these healthy behaviors, including stress, poor motivation, and issues of convenience. Third, they showed inadequate knowledge about exercise in pregnancy, and fourth, many endorsed food cravings that significantly influenced diet choices. CONCLUSION: Many pregnant youths have appropriate knowledge about healthy behaviors during pregnancy, but face many youth-specific barriers to achieving these behaviors. Interventions should address logistical challenges (eg, food access, cost, transportation) to healthy behaviors in pregnancy to make healthy diet and exercise more convenient for pregnant youth.
Authors: Emily Oken; Sheryl L Rifas-Shiman; Alison E Field; A Lindsay Frazier; Matthew W Gillman Journal: Obstet Gynecol Date: 2008-11 Impact factor: 7.661
Authors: Jinjin Ge; Shiqi Zhao; Xueqing Peng; Anita Nyarkoa Walker; Ni Yang; Hua Zhou; Li Wang; Chi Zhang; Meng Zhou; Hua You Journal: Front Public Health Date: 2022-02-04