Understanding empowerment for a healthy dietary intake during pregnancy

Abstract

Purpose : In order for health professionals to encourage pregnant women with a low socioeconomic status (SES) to move towards empowerment for a healthy dietary intake, crucial steps are to understand the perspectives of pregnant women of food and eating and to identify opportunities for empowerment. This study aimed to examine the perspectives of pregnant women on food and eating and to identify the opportunities for empowerment towards a healthy dietary intake. Methods : This was a qualitative participatory study. Thirteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with low SES pregnant women in the Netherlands and analysed using an inductive approach. Results : Five perspectives on food and eating emerged: 1) health-promoting foods and products, 2) challenges in healthy eating, 3) risky products, 4) strategies for healthy eating, and 5) motivational aspects. Opportunities for empowerment were: searching balanced and personalized information, developing strategies to implement healthy diets, navigating the social environment, and dealing with different motivations. Conclusion : Pregnant women hold diverse perspectives regarding food and eating, signalling the need to adjust dietary support from health-care professionals. Professionals in antenatal care could optimize their interactions by engaging in pregnant women’s empowerment processes to make healthy modifications to their dietary intake.

Opportunities for dietitians to promote a healthy dietary intake in pregnant women with a low socio-economic status within antenatal care practices in the Netherlands: a qualitative study

“…This study showed that low SES pregnant women are motivated to eat healthy and that they are satisfied with their dietary intake, which has also been found in previous studies [ 9 , 10 , 27 ]. In addition, many of the pregnant women in this study said they were happy with how healthy their dietary intake was and stressed that they did not feel the need to have a perfect score for healthy eating.…”

“…low SES pregnant women, midwives, dietitians, gynaecologists and other health professionals), thereby ensuring that the strategy closely matches the needs, interests and capacities of the different stakeholders involved [ 23 , 24 ]. The first phase of the study was directed at exploring the perspectives of the target group, low SES pregnant women, on food and eating during pregnancy and at understanding the opportunities for empowerment as experienced by these women [ 10 ]. This study is part of the second phase of the research project which is focused on the professionals in antenatal care and the opportunities that they identify for improving the dietary intake of low SES pregnant women.…”

“…Additional barriers may exist for low SES pregnant women specifically [ 8 ], as they are confronted with stressors such as a lack of money or low literacy skills. Several studies have found that low SES pregnant women are generally satisfied with their dietary patterns [ 9 ], while simultaneously also being able to identify areas for improvement and being motivated to make dietary changes [ 10 ]. Therefore, it is important to identify ways in which low SES pregnant women can be supported in improving their dietary intake.…”

“…Very few studies have been found to report on interventions that have been designed to promote the healthy dietary intake for pregnant women in general (n = 17), and low SES pregnant women in particular (n = 5), without this focus on risk factors or medical conditions [17]. Yet, recent research has demonstrated that low SES pregnant women consider it important to focus on healthy foods as well and would like to receive support in healthy eating regardless of whether they experience medical issues [10].…”

Lipid-based nutritional supplement impact on energy intake, appetite, glucose and insulin levels in under-weight pregnant and lactating women with preeclampsia

“…Inadequate diet has been documented as an association with poor maternal outcomes (increased risk of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes and extreme gestational weight gain), negative birth outcomes (premature and low birth weight), and childhood and adult health outcomes (obesity and chronic heart disease) [ 10 , 11 ]. Pregnant women with a low socioeconomic status faced an additional challenge to maintaining a healthy diet due to a lack of money, information and skills to make nutritional modifications [ 10 ].…”