Weight Related Health Behaviours during Pregnancy and Following Birth
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding Women’s Weight Related Health Behaviours during Pregnancy and Following Birth
IRAS ID
234092
Contact name
Hannah. L Hartley
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leeds
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 3 months, 31 days
Research summary
Weight gain is an expected part of pregnancy, however, too little or too much weight gain can increase the risk of negative health implications on the pregnancy, mother and unborn infant. Additionally, gestational weight gain may be retained into subsequent pregnancies and throughout life, thus increasing the likelihood of child bearing women becoming overweight or obese.
Women are considered as more receptive to health information during pregnancy, and health professionals are expected to provide women with weight related health information. However, there is evidence that suggests conversations around weight management may be perceived as awkward and embarrassing by pregnant women and health professionals. Women often report that they receive inadequate and inconsistent weight related information and that they would like to receive weight related information to support behaviour change.
Whilst pregnant women’s experiences of weight related discussions and care are understood, there is little research exploring women’s experiences of the health behaviours which underlie weight management, such as diet and physical activity. This doctoral research project aims to understand women’s perceptions and experiences of weight related health behaviours throughout the course of a pregnancy and following birth.
To investigate this, interviews with approximately 20 pregnant women will be carried out. Pregnant women attending their booking appointment will be provided with information of the research project and asked if they would like to take part. Women who provide informed consent to take part in the study, will be interviewed twice during pregnancy (firstly at 10-16 weeks pregnant; secondly at 28-32 weeks pregnant), and once following the birth (6-10 weeks postnatal). The interviews will be one-to-one, in-depth and last approximately 1 hour each.
These findings may be used to inform the development of future interventions, guidelines or initiatives which focus on weight management during pregnancy and/or aspects of lifestyle which include weight related health behaviours.
REC name
London - Chelsea Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/2144
Date of REC Opinion
22 Dec 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion