Jensen Sissel D, Andreassen Pernille, Knorr Sine, Rasmussen Louise, Ovesen Per, Kampmann Ulla, Bruun Jens M
Danish National Centre for Obesity, Aarhus, Denmark.
Steno Diabetes Centre Aarhus, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
Scand J Caring Sci. 2022 Jun;36(2):416-425. doi: 10.1111/scs.13052. Epub 2021 Dec 7.
Maternal obesity is a global health concern that is associated with significant effects on both short- and long-term health of both mother and child. However, maternal lifestyle interventions tend to focus solely on diet and physical activity in ways that disembody and disengage the social context in which women live their lives.
The aim of this study was to explore the lived experiences of maternal obesity and delve into how experiences of the body and motherhood affect women's motivation for participating in a postpartum lifestyle intervention.
A qualitative study using in-depth semi-structured interviews based on participant-generated photographs was used to allow the women to openly express their lived experiences of maternal obesity. The study emanated from a gynaecological department of a major Danish hospital, and five pregnant or postpartum women living with obesity participated. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and analysed using an Interpretive Phenomenological Approach.
The analysis identified an overall theme of ambivalence and four subthemes among the participating women. The themes reflected contrasting feelings where the obese body was simultaneously an arena for aesthetic failure, functional success and moral dilemmas. Experiences of weight stigma and moral accusations in healthcare settings further increased the women's sense of ambivalence and challenged their strong desire to lose weight.
This study highlights an ambivalent and vulnerable situation of maternal obesity which makes moral sensitivity towards weight and body concerns crucial to consider in future maternal health interventions. Our data suggest that an emphasis on functionality and capability rather than aesthetics and measured ideals would be useful in providing care and support in postpartum lifestyle interventions for women living with obesity.
孕产妇肥胖是一个全球性的健康问题，对母婴的短期和长期健康都有重大影响。然而，孕产妇生活方式干预往往只关注饮食和体育活动，而脱离了女性生活的社会背景。
本研究的目的是探讨孕产妇肥胖的生活经历，并深入研究身体和母亲身份的经历如何影响女性参与产后生活方式干预的动机。
采用基于参与者拍摄照片的深入半结构化访谈进行定性研究，让女性能够公开表达她们孕产妇肥胖的生活经历。该研究来自丹麦一家大型医院的妇科，五名肥胖的孕妇或产后妇女参与其中。访谈进行了录音、转录，并采用解释现象学方法进行分析。
分析确定了参与女性中的一个总体矛盾情绪主题和四个子主题。这些主题反映了相互矛盾的感受，即肥胖的身体同时是审美失败、功能成功和道德困境的场所。在医疗环境中遭受体重歧视和道德指责的经历进一步加剧了女性的矛盾情绪，并挑战了她们强烈的减肥愿望。
本研究突出了孕产妇肥胖矛盾且脆弱的状况，这使得在未来的孕产妇健康干预中，对体重和身体问题的道德敏感性至关重要。我们的数据表明，在为肥胖女性的产后生活方式干预提供护理和支持时，强调功能和能力而非美学和既定理想会很有帮助。
