Identification of Problems and Needs When Designing an mHealth App for Overweight and Obese Pregnant Women to Prevent Excessive Gestational Weight Gain: A Focus Group Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ching-Fang Lee ◽  
Li-Kang Chi ◽  
Jian-Pei Huang ◽  
Chen-Ju Lin
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Gestational Weight Gain ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Obese Women ◽  
Focus Group Study ◽  
Gestational Weight ◽  
Excessive Gestational Weight Gain

BACKGROUND Overweight and obese women tend to gain excessive weight and have adverse outcomes during pregnancy. Despite the increasing number of health-related apps, there is still a lack of a user-based app to help prevent excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) and extend the longevity of the changes in behavior needed to maintain a woman’s optimal weight during pregnancy. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to identify the problems and needs for designing an mHealth app for obese and overweight pregnant women that they can continue to use to control their GWG. METHODS We used a qualitative interpretive approach and analytical induction to present the findings of three focus group sessions involving 13 overweight and obese pregnant women in Taipei, Taiwan. This study was conducted from July to October 2019. RESULTS Five problems and 10 needs were identified related to the use of an app to control overweight and obese women’s GWG. These problems were 1) an information gap, 2) a lack of support, 3) perceived complications of using the app(s), 4) easily forgetting the app(s), and 5) low motivation. The 10 main needs were 1) prenatal examination, 2) credible information, 3) short and easily understandable information, 4) a network community of peer support, 5) feedback from and interaction with healthcare providers, 6) a convenient and user-friendly interface, 7) goal-setting, 8) evaluation and tracking, 9) reminders, and 10) incentives for systematic celebrations and rewarding success. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study will help in the development of a user-based app that serves as a guide based on evidenced and informative practices. CLINICALTRIAL No

Development and Evaluation of a Theory-Based App for Managing Gestational Weight Gain for Overweight and Obese Pregnant Women: A Mixed-Method Pilot Study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ching-Fang Lee ◽  
Li-Kang Chi ◽  
Yvonne Hsiung ◽  
Jian-Pei Huang ◽  
Chun-Wei Chang
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Gestational Weight Gain ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Obese Women ◽  
Healthy Behavior ◽  
Gestational Weight ◽  
Methodological Guidelines

BACKGROUND Overweight and obese women’s excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) may be a health risk for both the mother and the fetus; excessive GWG leads to the retention of weight postpartum and thus obesity. Given the overwhelming number of existing pregnancy-related applications (apps), we lack only a few methodological guidelines for integrating theory, evidence and previously validated apps to help overweight and obese women manage their GWG during pregnancy. OBJECTIVE This two-phase study aimed to develop the MyHealthyWeight (MHW) app based on social-cognitive theory (SCT) and evaluate its effectiveness for overweight and obese women in helping prevent excessive GWG by enhancing adherence to optimal GWG goals and healthy behavior during pregnancy. METHODS First, we constructed and developed the MHW app based on SCT theory, and we later employed a mixed-method study to evaluate the effects of the app on overweight and obese pregnant women. RESULTS All participating overweight and obese pregnant women (100%) achieved their optimal GWG through increased self-efficacy and physical activity. Their total and moderate-intensity physical activity expenditures improved, while their sedentary and light-intensity levels of physical activity decreased. CONCLUSIONS This theory-based MHW app for weight management was greatly valued by the pregnant users. Its usefulness for health-care professionals in assisting overweight and obese pregnant women in preventing excessive GWG by promoting healthy behavior, in particular through physical exercise and a healthy diet, during pregnancy was also confirmed. CLINICALTRIAL NCT04553718

Predictors and adverse outcomes of inadequate or excessive gestational weight gain in an Asian population

2013 ◽  
Vol 39 (5) ◽  
pp. 905-913 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huishan Koh ◽  
Tat Xin Ee ◽  
Rahul Malhotra ◽  
John Carson Allen ◽  
Thiam Chye Tan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Gestational Weight Gain ◽  
Asian Population ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Gestational Weight ◽  
Excessive Gestational Weight Gain

scholarly journals Influence of Maternal Prepregnancy Obesity and Excessive Gestational Weight Gain on Maternal and Child Gastrointestinal Microbiome Composition: A Systematic Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 114-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caitlin Dreisbach ◽  
Stephanie Prescott ◽  
Jeanne Alhusen
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Gestational Weight Gain ◽  
Maternal Obesity ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Metagenomic Sequencing ◽  
Gastrointestinal Microbiome ◽  
Microbiome Composition ◽  
Gestational Weight ◽  
Excessive Gestational Weight Gain

Background: Maternal obesity is a well-known risk factor for significant obstetric and neonatal complications. The influence of the gastrointestinal microbiome in the setting of maternal obesity during pregnancy is less understood. The purpose of this systematic review is to synthesize the literature on the relationships between maternal obesity and excessive gestational weight gain (EGWG) and the composition of maternal and child gastrointestinal microbiomes. Method: We searched CINHAL, OVID Medline, Web of Science, and PubMed for relevant literature using medical subject heading terms related to obesity, pregnancy, and the gastrointestinal microbiome. We assessed 249 articles for potential inclusion using the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analyses framework and deemed 11 articles as relevant for this review. Results: Maternal obesity was associated with significant microbial changes in both maternal and infant fecal microbiome biospecimens including increases in Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and the Actinobacteria phyla and decreases in Bifidobacteria. However, inconsistencies in uniform taxonomic results across all studies mean that evidence of specific microbial associations with obesity and EGWG is inconclusive. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that both maternal and child gastrointestinal microbiome composition is altered in the setting of maternal obesity and EGWG during pregnancy. Future microbiome studies should concentrate on the investigation of metagenomic sequencing to elucidate microbial function rather than solely taxonomic composition. More diverse populations of mothers should be sampled to address health disparities and adverse outcomes of underrepresented populations. Finally, analytic pipelines should be standardized across studies to aid in reproducibility.

scholarly journals Determining Acceptability of a Text-message Based Intervention to Prevent Excessive Gestational Weight Gain in Low-income Women in Hawai'i WIC (P04-029-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dustin Valdez ◽  
Cristina Palacios ◽  
Jinan Banna
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Gestational Weight Gain ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Text Message ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Nutrition Intervention ◽  
Gestational Weight ◽  
Excessive Gestational Weight Gain ◽  
Low Income Women

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine the acceptability of messages in a text message-based nutrition intervention for the prevention of excessive gestational weight gain in low-income women in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program in Hawai‘i. Methods Low-income pregnant women (n = 100) in Hawaii participated in a four-month text message-based nutrition intervention program. Participants in the intervention arm received 18 text messages (1/week) that focused on reinforcing WIC's nutritional recommendations for pregnant women. Participants who completed the intervention were interviewed at their respective WIC clinic about their experiences with the messages. The interviews were transcribed and content analysis to identify the prevailing themes and concepts was performed with NVivo (version 12, GSR International, Inc, Burlington, MA). Results Participants responded to questions in four content areas: most useful messages for staying healthy, least useful messages for staying healthy, messages that affected eating and exercise habits, and the experience of receiving messages. The most useful messages related to healthy food substitutions. The least helpful messages were those participants felt they were unable to perform, such as eating sardines for omega-3 fatty acids. Participants cited that messages relating to healthy food substitutions as having the most impact on eating behavior. Most participants also felt that increasing the number of messages would have been helpful. Conclusions Results suggest that providing information relating to healthy food substitutions as well as providing a high frequency of messages could be beneficial in the development of mobile health programs for low-income pregnant women in controlling gestational weight gain. Funding Sources Mountain West Clinical Translational Research Infrastructure Network under a grant from National Institute of General Medicine Sciences of the National Institute of Health.

scholarly journals Obstetric healthcare providers’ perceptions of communicating gestational weight gain recommendations to overweight/obese pregnant women

2012 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 161-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Grohmann ◽  
Pauline Brazeau-Gravelle ◽  
Franco Momoli ◽  
Katherine Moreau ◽  
Tinghua Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Gain ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Gestational Weight Gain ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Theory Of Planned Behaviour ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Registered Dietitians ◽  
Survey Tool ◽  
Gestational Weight ◽  
Report Bias

Background Gestational weight gain (GWG) is a major risk factor of poor pregnancy outcomes. Obese pregnant women frequently report bias and discrimination when dealing with healthcare providers (HCPs). Effective communication of GWG recommendations may impact risks. Study objectives were to identify perceptions of HCPs in communicating GWG recommendations and to identify potential gaps/opportunities that could be addressed in the development of appropriate materials/programmes. Methods: A survey tool was created using the Theory of Planned Behaviour to capture HCPs’ attitudes, behaviours and intentions, using four-point Likert questions. Surveys were distributed to obstetricians/gynaecologists, family physicians, obstetric residents/ fellows, midwives, registered/public health nurses and registered dietitians. Results: Results from 96 surveys show that HCPs agreed discussing GWG was important (100%), beneficial for patient-provider rapport (86%) and best practice (100%); however, most found it unpleasant (68%). Providers have confidence in their skills to provide nutrition advice (71%) and believe they have sufficient training (56%); yet, 31% acknowledged making derogatory comments and indicated that they could improve their communication of GWG (92%). Conclusions: HCPs believe they are providing GWG recommendations in an effective and empathetic manner. While an underlying current of bias/discrimination remains, there is recognition of the importance of more training and access to appropriate tools.

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