A semi-structured, web-based questionnaire was developed to survey midwives (n = 241) employed by NHS Tayside, UK, to identify current practice and views on weight management of obese women during pregnancy and the puerperium. A total of 78 (32%) midwives submitted responses following email invitation. Most respondents (79%) reported always calculating women's body mass index (BMI) at booking, with 73% routinely explaining the BMI category. In terms of future practice for obese women, although few respondents (15%) currently offer personalised advice regarding weight management based on a woman's diet and physical activity levels, 77% of respondents thought such advice would be appropriate and 69% thought it could possibly be feasible to offer such advice. The respondents viewed weight management to be of importance and felt that universal advice is appropriate, but confidence in discussing weight management and knowledge of the subject was low. Strategies to improve midwife confidence and weight management services should include training, ongoing support and definition of the midwife's role within the multidisciplinary team to support practice in the future.
Current published food portion sizes were estimated from data collected in the 1986-7 Dietary and Nutritional Survey of British Adults. However, there is evidence from the USA that portion sizes for specific foods, e.g. soft drinks, hamburgers and French fries, have increased over the last 20 years (1,2). Using the latest data available from the National Diet and Nutrition Surveys (NDNS) of adults aged 19-64 years, median portion weights were calculated (3) and compared with those estimated from 1987 as average or medium portions in Food Portion Sizes (4) and as the median portion deduced from the data given in A Photographic Atlas of Food Portion Sizes (5). In addition, a range of companies including food manufacturers, supermarkets and fast-food and restaurant chains were contacted and information on portion sizes obtained and compared with those collected in the 1990s. Of the fifty-seven average food portion sizes that could be directly compared, only six, all savoury items, showed an increased median size > 5 % of those reported earlier. In contrast, portion sizes had decreased or stayed the same for five types of potatoes or chips, nineteen fruits and vegetables and twelve dessert items.
Current published food portion sizes were estimated from data collected in the 1986-7 Dietary and Nutritional Survey of British Adults. However, there is evidence from the USA that portion sizes for specific foods, e.g. soft drinks, hamburgers and French fries, have increased over the last 20 years (1,2) .Using the latest data available from the National Diet and Nutrition Surveys (NDNS) of adults aged 19-64 years, median portion weights were calculated (3) and compared with those estimated from 1987 as average or medium portions in Food Portion Sizes (4) and as the median portion deduced from the data given in A Photographic Atlas of Food Portion Sizes (5) . In addition, a range of companies including food manufacturers, supermarkets and fast-food and restaurant chains were contacted and information on portion sizes obtained and compared with those collected in the 1990s.Of the fifty-seven average food portion sizes that could be directly compared, only six, all savoury items, showed an increased median size > 5 % of those reported earlier. In contrast, portion sizes had decreased or stayed the same for five types of potatoes or chips, nineteen fruits and vegetables and twelve dessert items.
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