scholarly journals Dietary intake and processes of behaviour change in a nutrition education intervention for pregnant women in rural Malawi: a cluster-randomised controlled trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (13) ◽  
pp. 2345-2354
Author(s):  
Lillian Ziyenda Katenga-Kaunda ◽  
Per Ole Iversen ◽  
Gerd Holmboe-Ottesen ◽  
Heidi Fjeld ◽  
Ibrahimu Mdala ◽  
...  

AbstractObjective:To examine if increased intake of locally available nutrient-dense foods among pregnant women improved the quality of their dietary intake and if use of the Theory of Planned Behaviour could explain changes in their dietary behaviour.Design:We used data from a randomised controlled trial where the intervention group received nutrition education and dietary counselling. We promoted the use of recipes that utilised powders to enhance dietary diversity. We examined how the intervention achieved changes in dietary intakes and used mixed effects logistic regression models with random effects at village level to explore changes over time of the outcomes, adjusted for selected explanatory variables.Setting:The study was conducted in twenty villages in rural Malawi.Participants:Data from 257 pregnant women who were enrolled during late first trimester and followed until birth.Results:The intervention achieved improvements in the Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) and the Six Food Group Pyramid (SFG) score, especially in intakes of micronutrient-rich foods. A third of the women in the intervention group attained optimal DDS, whereas about 50 % attained optimal SFG. The theorised behaviour mediators (i.e. nutrition attitudes, nutrition behaviour control and subjective norm) that had improved were also significantly associated with high DDS.Conclusions:Improved dietary intakes were achieved through promoting the use of locally available nutrient-dense foods. Attainment of high DDS was a consequence of the women’s belief in the effectiveness of the proposed nutrition recommendations. We identified critical personal and environmental constraints related to dietary intakes during pregnancy in a low-resource setting.

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lillian Ziyenda Katenga-Kaunda ◽  
Penjani Rhoda Kamudoni ◽  
Gerd Holmboe-Ottesen ◽  
Heidi E. Fjeld ◽  
Ibrahimu Mdala ◽  
...  

Abstract Background In many sub-Saharan African countries, such as Malawi, antenatal care (ANC) services do not deliver sufficient nutrition awareness to improve adequate dietary intake in pregnancy. We therefore compared the effects of supplementary nutrition education and dietary counselling with routine ANC service on nutrition knowledge and dietary intakes among Malawian pregnant women. Methods We used data from a two-armed cluster randomised controlled trial (RCT) of which the intervention group received supplementary nutrition education, dietary counselling and routine ANC services whereas the controls received only routine ANC services. The RCT was conducted in 10 control and 10 intervention villages in Mangochi, Southern Malawi and included pregnant women between their 9th and 16th gestational weeks. We examined the changes in nutrition knowledge and dietary diversity from enrolment (baseline) to study end-point of the RCT (two weeks before expected delivery). We used three linear multilevel regression models with random effects at village level (cluster) to examine the associations between indicators of nutrition knowledge and diet consumption adjusted for selected explanatory variables. Results Among 257 pregnant women enrolled to the RCT, 195 (76%) were available for the current study. The supplementary nutrition education and counselling led to significant improvements in nutrition knowledge, dietary diversity and nutrition behaviour in the intervention group compared with controls. Most women from both study groups had a moderate consumption of diversified foods at study end-point. A significant positive association between nutrition knowledge and consumption of a diversified diet was only observed in the intervention group. Conclusions Nutrition knowledge and dietary diversity improved in both study groups, but higher in the intervention group. Increased nutrition knowledge was associated with improved dietary diversity only in the intervention women, who also improved their nutrition perceptions and behaviour. Antenatal nutrition education needs strengthening to improve dietary intakes in pregnancy in this low resource-setting. Trial registration Clinical trials.gov ID: NCT03136393 (registered on 02/05/2017).


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 2468
Author(s):  
Sasha Fenton ◽  
Tracy L. Burrows ◽  
Clare E. Collins ◽  
Anna T. Rayward ◽  
Beatrice Murawski ◽  
...  

This three-arm randomised controlled trial evaluated whether (1) a multi-component weight loss intervention targeting diet, physical activity (PA), and sleep was effective at improving dietary intake over six months and 12 months, compared with a control, and (2) the enhanced diet, PA, and sleep intervention was more effective at improving dietary intake than the traditional diet and PA intervention. A total of 116 adults (70% female, 44.5 years, BMI 31.7 kg/m2) were randomised to either traditional diet and PA intervention; enhanced diet, PA, and sleep intervention; or wait-list control. To examine between-group differences, intervention groups were pooled and compared with the control. Then, the two intervention groups were compared. At six months, the pooled intervention group consumed 1011 fewer kilojoules/day (95% CI −1922, −101), less sodium (−313.2 mg/day; 95% CI −591.3, −35.0), and higher %EI from fruit (+2.1%EI; 95% CI 0.1, 4.1) than the controls. There were no differences in intake between the enhanced and traditional groups at six months. At 12 months, the pooled intervention and control groups reported no significant differences. However, compared to the traditional group, the enhanced reported higher %EI from nutrient-dense foods (+7.4%EI; 95% CI 1.3, 13.5) and protein (+2.4%EI; 95% CI 0.1, 4.6), and reduced %EI from fried/takeaway foods (−3.6%EI; 95% CI −6.5, −0.7), baked sweet products (−2.0%EI; 95% CI −3.6, −0.4), and packaged snacks (−1.1%EI; 95% CI −2.2, −0.3). This weight loss intervention reduced total energy and sodium intakes as well as increased fruit intake in adults at six months. The enhanced intervention group reported improved dietary intake relative to the traditional group at 12 months.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen Greene ◽  
Eileen O'Brien ◽  
Kate Ainscough ◽  
Maria A Kennelly ◽  
Orna A O'Brien ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Dietary interventions can improve pregnancy outcomes amongst women with increased BMI. Furthermore, interest in mobile health (mHealth) is growing but little is known about the acceptability of a smartphone app to support lifestyle interventions among such a cohort. OBJECTIVE We aimed to assess the acceptability of the PEARs study and the use of mHealth in a mixed lifestyle intervention. METHODS PEARs was a randomised controlled trial of a low glycaemic index (GI) dietary intervention with exercise prescription and smartphone app, delivered to pregnant women with overweight and obesity. Acceptability questionnaires were completed by the intervention group at 28 weeks’ gestation (n = 149) and post-intervention (n = 123). Maternal characteristics were recorded (age, ethnicity, BMI, socioeconomic status). Associations between maternal characteristics and acceptability of the intervention and app were analysed using t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, chi-squares and logistic regression. One-on-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sub-cohort of intervention participants (n = 28) at 34 weeks’ gestation, in which participants shared their experience of the PEARs intervention. RESULTS The intervention was generally accepted, with respondents agreeing that the diet was easy to follow (68.5%), enjoyable (74.1%) and affordable (76.9%). Qualitative and quantitative results were consistent with one another, both demonstrating that app acceptability was high. Participants agreed that the app was enjoyable (80%) and easy to use (97.5%). Compared to those with tertiary education, those with lower education were more likely to enjoy the dietary changes (P = .039). Enjoyment of the app was associated with disadvantaged neighbourhood deprivation index (P = .012) and higher BMI (B = .172, P = .029). CONCLUSIONS The PEARs intervention and use of a supportive smartphone app were accepted by pregnant women, particularly by those from vulnerable subgroups of the population. CLINICALTRIAL https://www.isrctn.com/, ISRCTN29316280


Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Makurat ◽  
Eleonore Kretz ◽  
Frank Wieringa ◽  
Chhoun Chamnan ◽  
Michael Krawinkel

The objective of this paper is to compare food consumption by Cambodian garment workers with and without access to a free model lunch provision through a factory-based canteen. Data from an exploratory randomised controlled trial were analysed. In total, 223 female Cambodian garment workers were allocated to an intervention arm (six-month lunch provision) or a control arm. Dietary intake on workdays was assessed by qualitative 24-h recalls at baseline and twice at follow-ups during the period of lunch provision using the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) guideline on assessing women’s dietary diversity. In total, 158 participants provided complete data on the dietary intake over workdays at all interviews. Lunch provision resulted in a more frequent consumption of dark green leafy vegetables (DGLV), vitamin A-rich fruits, other fruits, and oils and fats during lunch breaks. In contrast, flesh meats, legumes, nuts and seeds, as well as sweets, were eaten at a lower frequency. Except for a higher consumption rate of vitamin A-rich fruits and a lower intake frequency of sweets, lunch provision had a less clear impact on total 24-h intake from different food groups and was not associated with a higher women’s dietary diversity score (WDDS). A more gap-oriented design of the lunch sets taking into account underutilised foods and the nutritional status of the workers is recommended.


BJPsych Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn Lord ◽  
Gill Livingston ◽  
Claudia Cooper

SummaryFamily carers report high levels of decisional conflict when deciding whether their relative with dementia can continue to be cared for in their own home. We tested, in a feasibility randomised controlled trial, the first decision aid (the DECIDE manual) aiming to reduce such conflict. Twenty family carers received the DECIDE intervention, and 21 received usual treatment. The intervention group had reduced decisional conflict compared with controls (mean difference −11.96, 95% confidence interval −20.10 to −3.83, P=0.005). All carers receiving the intervention completed and valued it, despite some still reporting difficulties with family conflict and problems negotiating services.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 1-156
Author(s):  
Joanne L Clarke ◽  
Jenny Ingram ◽  
Debbie Johnson ◽  
Gill Thomson ◽  
Heather Trickey ◽  
...  

Background The UK has low levels of breastfeeding initiation and continuation, with evident socioeconomic disparities. To be inclusive, peer-support interventions should be woman-centred rather than breastfeeding-centred. Assets-based approaches to public health focus on the positive capabilities of individuals and communities, rather than their deficits and problems. The Assets-based feeding help Before and After birth (ABA) intervention offers an assets-based approach based on behaviour change theory. Objective To investigate the feasibility of delivering the ABA infant feeding intervention in a randomised controlled trial. Design This was an individually randomised controlled feasibility trial; women were randomised in a 1 : 1 ratio to either the intervention group or the comparator (usual care) group. Setting Two separate English sites were selected because they had an existing breastfeeding peer support service, relatively high levels of socioeconomic disadvantage and low rates of breastfeeding. Participants Women aged ≥ 16 years who were pregnant with their first child, irrespective of feeding intention (n = 103), were recruited by researchers in antenatal clinics. Interventions Proactive, woman-centred support, using an assets-based approach and including behaviour change techniques, was provided by an infant-feeding helper (a breastfeeding peer supporter trained in the ABA intervention) and delivered through face-to-face contact, telephone conversations and text messages. The intervention commenced at around 30 weeks’ gestation and could continue until 5 months postnatally. Main outcome measures The main outcome measures were feasibility of intervention delivery with the requisite intensity and duration; acceptability to women, infant-feeding helpers and maternity services; and feasibility of a future randomised controlled trial. Outcomes included recruitment rates and follow-up rates at 3 days, 8 weeks and 6 months postnatally, and outcomes for a future full trial were collected via participant questionnaires. A mixed-methods process evaluation included qualitative interviews with women, infant-feeding helpers and maternity services; infant-feeding helper logs; and audio-recordings of antenatal contacts to check intervention fidelity. Results Of the 135 eligible women approached, 103 (76.3%) agreed to participate. The study was successful in recruiting teenagers (8.7%) and women living in areas of socioeconomic disadvantage (37.3% resided in the most deprived 40% of small areas in England). Postnatal follow-up rates were 68.0%, 85.4% and 80.6% at 3 days, 8 weeks and 6 months, respectively. Feeding status at 8 weeks was obtained for 95.1% of participants. Recruitment took place from February 2017 until August 2017. It was possible to recruit and train existing peer supporters to the infant-feeding helper role. The intervention was delivered to most women with relatively high fidelity. Among the 50 women in the intervention group, 39 received antenatal visits and 40 received postnatal support. Qualitative data showed that the intervention was acceptable. There was no evidence of intervention-related harms. Limitations Birth notification delays resulted in delays in the collection of postnatal feeding status data and in the offer of postnatal support. In addition, the intervention needs to better consider all infant-feeding types and did not adequately accommodate women who delivered prematurely. Conclusion It is feasible to deliver the intervention and trial. Future work The intervention should be tested in a fully powered randomised controlled trial. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN14760978. Funding This project was funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Public Health Research programme and will be published in full in Public Health Research; Vol. 8, No. 7. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information.


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