McMaster Midwifery Research Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2019 Oct 21;19(1):368. doi: 10.1186/s12884-019-2508-z.
Excess gestational weight gain has long- and short-term implications for women and children, and postpartum weight retention is associated with an increased risk of long-term obesity. Despite the existence of dietary and exercise guidelines, many women struggle to return to pre-pregnancy weight. Experiences of women in tackling postpartum weight loss are poorly understood. We undertook this study to explore experiences related to nutrition, exercise and weight in the postpartum in women in Ontario, Canada.
This was a nested qualitative study within The Be Healthy in Pregnancy Study, a randomized controlled trial. Women randomized to the control group were invited to participate. Semi-structured focus groups were conducted at 4-6 months postpartum. Focus groups were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, coded and analyzed thematically using a constructivist grounded theory approach.
Women experienced a complex relationship with their body image, due to unrealistic expectations related to their postpartum body. Participants identified barriers and enablers to healthy habits during pregnancy and postpartum. Gestational weight gain guidelines were regarded as unhelpful and unrealistic. A lack of guidance and information about weight management, healthy eating, and exercise in the postpartum period was highlighted.
Strategies for weight management that target the unique characteristics of the postpartum period have been neglected in research and in patient counselling. Postpartum women may begin preparing for their next pregnancy and support during this period could improve their health for subsequent pregnancies.
NCT01689961 registered September 21, 2012.
过多的孕期体重增加对妇女和儿童都有长期和短期的影响，产后体重滞留与长期肥胖的风险增加有关。尽管存在饮食和运动指南，但许多妇女难以恢复到怀孕前的体重。女性在解决产后减肥问题方面的经验知之甚少。我们进行这项研究是为了探讨加拿大安大略省女性在产后与营养、运动和体重相关的经验。
这是一项嵌套的定性研究，嵌入在“怀孕期间保持健康”研究中，这是一项随机对照试验。随机分配到对照组的女性被邀请参加。在产后 4-6 个月进行半结构式焦点小组讨论。焦点小组被录音，逐字转录，使用建构主义扎根理论方法进行编码和主题分析。
由于与产后身体有关的不切实际的期望，女性对自己的身体形象有着复杂的关系。参与者确定了在怀孕期间和产后保持健康习惯的障碍和促进因素。妊娠体重增加指南被认为是无益和不现实的。强调了在产后期间缺乏关于体重管理、健康饮食和运动的指导和信息。
针对产后独特特征的体重管理策略在研究和患者咨询中被忽视。产后妇女可能已经开始为下一次怀孕做准备，在此期间提供支持可以改善她们在随后怀孕时的健康状况。
NCT01689961 于 2012 年 9 月 21 日注册。
