Kent-Marvick Jacqueline, Cloyes Kristin G, Clark Ana, Angulo Monica, de la Haye Kayla, Debbink Michelle Precourt, Creal Cristina, Wong Bob, Simonsen Sara E
College of Nursing, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
School of Nursing, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
Womens Health (Lond). 2025 Jan-Dec;21:17455057241309774. doi: 10.1177/17455057241309774.
Postpartum is a critical period to interrupt weight gain across the lifespan, decrease weight-related risk in future pregnancies, promote healthy behaviors that are often adopted during pregnancy, and improve long-term health. Because the postpartum period is marked by unique challenges to a person's ability to prioritize healthy behaviors, a multi-level/domain approach to intervention beyond the individual-level factors of diet and activity is needed.
The purpose of this study was to understand postpartum people's perceptions about the relationship between their social networks and support, and their health behaviors and weight.
We used a qualitative descriptive approach and in-depth interviews.
Participants (aged 18+, 12-15 months postpartum, who had a pre-pregnancy body mass index ⩾25) engaged in one-on-one, in-depth interviews conducted via Zoom ( = 28). Additional qualitative data came from open-ended responses to an online survey ( = 84) and a personal social-network survey ( = 84). Qualitative analysis used content and thematic analysis in stages of deductive coding applying codes derived from social-network and support theories, followed by inductive coding.
Thirty-eight participants (38.4%) returned to or weighed less than pre-pregnancy weight. We identified two overarching themes grounded in social-network and support theories. They were: (1) normative influence impacts health behaviors, body image, and experiences of weight stigma, and (2) network social support is related to health goals and overall postpartum health. Postpartum networks/support hindered and supported participants' goals. Partners provided an important source of accountability but were often associated with barriers to healthier behaviors.
Our findings reinforce the importance of the social context when considering how to support healthy behaviors and weight during the postpartum period. Healthcare providers should focus on health indicators other than maternal weight, and those wishing to support healthy postpartum behaviors could focus on child and family health, rather than solely on maternal weight and health behaviors.
产后是阻断一生体重增加、降低未来妊娠中与体重相关风险、促进孕期常采用的健康行为并改善长期健康的关键时期。由于产后阶段对个人优先选择健康行为的能力构成独特挑战，因此需要一种超越饮食和活动等个体层面因素的多层次/多领域干预方法。
本研究的目的是了解产后人群对其社交网络与支持、健康行为和体重之间关系的看法。
我们采用了定性描述方法和深入访谈。
参与者（年龄在18岁及以上，产后12 - 15个月，孕前体重指数⩾25）通过Zoom进行一对一的深入访谈（n = 28）。额外的定性数据来自对在线调查（n = 84）和个人社交网络调查（n = 84）的开放式回答。定性分析在演绎编码阶段使用内容和主题分析，应用从社交网络和支持理论衍生的代码，随后进行归纳编码。
38名参与者（38.4%）恢复到孕前体重或体重低于孕前。我们确定了基于社交网络和支持理论的两个总体主题。它们是：（1）规范影响影响健康行为、身体形象和体重耻辱感体验，以及（2）网络社会支持与健康目标和整体产后健康相关。产后网络/支持既阻碍又支持参与者的目标。伴侣是重要的问责来源，但通常与更健康行为的障碍相关。
我们的研究结果强化了在考虑如何在产后支持健康行为和体重时社会背景的重要性。医疗保健提供者应关注产妇体重以外的健康指标，而那些希望支持产后健康行为的人可以关注儿童和家庭健康，而不是仅仅关注产妇体重和健康行为。
