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Acceptability of a Weight Management Intervention for Pregnant and Postpartum Women with BMI ≥30 kg/m2: A Qualitative Evaluation of an Individualized, Home-Based Service

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Abstract

Objectives

There have been recent calls for more evidence regarding effective antenatal and postnatal interventions to address the serious health risks of maternal obesity and associated childhood obesity. The Maternal and Early Years Healthy Weight Service (MAEYS) is an innovative service, delivered by specialist healthy weight advisors, for obese women (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) during pregnancy and up to 2 years after delivery. The service focuses on healthy gestational weight gain, postpartum weight loss and establishing healthy infant feeding and active play. MAEYS was adopted by six local health organizations in the UK as a 1 year pilot program. The aim of the present research was to assess the acceptability of this intervention among MAEYS participants.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews with 20 women, with data analyzed thematically.

Results

High levels of acceptability were reported. The convenience and comfort of home visits, personalized advice on diet and physical activity, supportive approach of the healthy weight advisor and regular weight monitoring were all cited as advantages of the service. Service users suggested that more frequent contact with advisors and practical support such as recipes would improve the service.

Conclusions

MAEYS is a novel, community-based intervention delivered in the home which has demonstrated acceptability to its recipients. It therefore shows promise as an early intervention to reduce the risks of maternal obesity and subsequently reduce childhood obesity. An evaluation of the efficacy of MAEYS in preventing excess gestational weight gain and losing weight postpartum is now needed.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by NHS West Midlands’ Investing for Health programme. The authors would like to express their thanks to the research team; Kubra Anwar, Carol Bryce, Puja Joshi and Hannah Kendall, who contributed to data collection and analysis. We are also grateful to the local area leads, all the participants, and to Naomi Bartle for helpful comments on an earlier draft of the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Priory Street, Coventry, CV1 5FB, UK

    Lou Atkinson

  2. Centre for Maternal and Child Health Research, School of Health Sciences, City University, Northampton Square, London, EC1V 0HB, UK

    Ellinor K. Olander

  3. School of Psychological Sciences, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK

    David P. French

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  1. Lou Atkinson
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Correspondence to Lou Atkinson.

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Atkinson, L., Olander, E.K. & French, D.P. Acceptability of a Weight Management Intervention for Pregnant and Postpartum Women with BMI ≥30 kg/m2: A Qualitative Evaluation of an Individualized, Home-Based Service. Matern Child Health J 20, 88–96 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-015-1806-y

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