Weight development from childhood to motherhood—embodied experiences in women with pre-pregnancy obesity: a qualitative study
Abstract Background Pre-pregnancy obesity increases the risk of perinatal complications. Post-pregnancy is a time of preparation for the next pregnancy and lifestyle advice in antenatal care and postpartum follow-up is therefore recommended. However, behavioral changes are difficult to achieve, and...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Reproductive Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-024-01742-z |
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| author | Heidi L. Sandsæter Trine Tetlie Eik-Nes Linn Okkenhaug Getz Hege S. Haugdahl Elisabeth Balstad Magnussen Janet W. Rich-Edwards Julie Horn |
| author_facet | Heidi L. Sandsæter Trine Tetlie Eik-Nes Linn Okkenhaug Getz Hege S. Haugdahl Elisabeth Balstad Magnussen Janet W. Rich-Edwards Julie Horn |
| author_sort | Heidi L. Sandsæter |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Pre-pregnancy obesity increases the risk of perinatal complications. Post-pregnancy is a time of preparation for the next pregnancy and lifestyle advice in antenatal care and postpartum follow-up is therefore recommended. However, behavioral changes are difficult to achieve, and a better understanding of pregnant women’s perspectives and experiences of pre-pregnancy weight development is crucial. Methods We used a qualitative design and conducted semi-structured interviews with 14 women in Norway with pre-pregnancy obesity 3–12 months postpartum. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results Four themes addressing women’s experiences and understanding of their weight development were generated: (1) Unmet essential needs, (2) Genetic predisposition for obesity, challenging life course transitions and turning points, (3) Under a critical eye: an ever-present negative bodily awareness, and (4) Wrestling with food. Parents’ inability to meet children’s essential needs caused weight gain through an unbalanced diet, increased stress, and emotional eating patterns. Body criticism and a feeling of not belonging led to negative body awareness that influenced behavioral patterns and relationships. Participants reporting having had a good childhood more often described their weight development as a result of genetic predisposition, challenging life course transitions and turning points, such as illness and injuries. Nevertheless, these participants also described how eating patterns were influenced by stress and negative emotions. Conclusions Healthcare providers should pay attention to the insider perspectives of pre-pregnancy weight development. An open and shared understanding of the root causes of these women’s weight development can form a basis for more successful lifestyle guidance. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T14:58:44Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b591f9857386408891cc0850bd07cf89 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1742-4755 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T14:58:44Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Reproductive Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-b591f9857386408891cc0850bd07cf892024-03-05T19:18:31ZengBMCReproductive Health1742-47552024-01-0121111210.1186/s12978-024-01742-zWeight development from childhood to motherhood—embodied experiences in women with pre-pregnancy obesity: a qualitative studyHeidi L. Sandsæter0Trine Tetlie Eik-Nes1Linn Okkenhaug Getz2Hege S. Haugdahl3Elisabeth Balstad Magnussen4Janet W. Rich-Edwards5Julie Horn6Department of Public Health and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and TechnologyDepartment of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Norwegian University of Science and TechnologyResearch Unit for General Practice, Department of Public Health and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and TechnologyLevanger Hospital, Nord-Trøndelag Hospital TrustDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Olav’s University HospitalDivision of Women’s Health and Connors Center for Women’s Health and Gender Biology, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s HospitalDepartment of Public Health and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and TechnologyAbstract Background Pre-pregnancy obesity increases the risk of perinatal complications. Post-pregnancy is a time of preparation for the next pregnancy and lifestyle advice in antenatal care and postpartum follow-up is therefore recommended. However, behavioral changes are difficult to achieve, and a better understanding of pregnant women’s perspectives and experiences of pre-pregnancy weight development is crucial. Methods We used a qualitative design and conducted semi-structured interviews with 14 women in Norway with pre-pregnancy obesity 3–12 months postpartum. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results Four themes addressing women’s experiences and understanding of their weight development were generated: (1) Unmet essential needs, (2) Genetic predisposition for obesity, challenging life course transitions and turning points, (3) Under a critical eye: an ever-present negative bodily awareness, and (4) Wrestling with food. Parents’ inability to meet children’s essential needs caused weight gain through an unbalanced diet, increased stress, and emotional eating patterns. Body criticism and a feeling of not belonging led to negative body awareness that influenced behavioral patterns and relationships. Participants reporting having had a good childhood more often described their weight development as a result of genetic predisposition, challenging life course transitions and turning points, such as illness and injuries. Nevertheless, these participants also described how eating patterns were influenced by stress and negative emotions. Conclusions Healthcare providers should pay attention to the insider perspectives of pre-pregnancy weight development. An open and shared understanding of the root causes of these women’s weight development can form a basis for more successful lifestyle guidance.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-024-01742-zAdverse childhood experiencesEmbodimentPre-pregnancy obesityWeight historyQualitative research |
| spellingShingle | Heidi L. Sandsæter Trine Tetlie Eik-Nes Linn Okkenhaug Getz Hege S. Haugdahl Elisabeth Balstad Magnussen Janet W. Rich-Edwards Julie Horn Weight development from childhood to motherhood—embodied experiences in women with pre-pregnancy obesity: a qualitative study Reproductive Health Adverse childhood experiences Embodiment Pre-pregnancy obesity Weight history Qualitative research |
| title | Weight development from childhood to motherhood—embodied experiences in women with pre-pregnancy obesity: a qualitative study |
| title_full | Weight development from childhood to motherhood—embodied experiences in women with pre-pregnancy obesity: a qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Weight development from childhood to motherhood—embodied experiences in women with pre-pregnancy obesity: a qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Weight development from childhood to motherhood—embodied experiences in women with pre-pregnancy obesity: a qualitative study |
| title_short | Weight development from childhood to motherhood—embodied experiences in women with pre-pregnancy obesity: a qualitative study |
| title_sort | weight development from childhood to motherhood embodied experiences in women with pre pregnancy obesity a qualitative study |
| topic | Adverse childhood experiences Embodiment Pre-pregnancy obesity Weight history Qualitative research |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-024-01742-z |
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