Consumer satisfaction with a weight-gain intervention programme for obese pregnant women.
OBJECTIVE
to investigate women's attitudes and satisfaction with a weight-gain intervention programme during pregnancy.


METHODS
exploratory, descriptive study. Data were collected via interviews.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
56 obese pregnant women who attended antenatal care at the University Hospital of Linköping's obstetrical department and took part in an intervention programme aimed at reducing weight gain during pregnancy, between November 2003 and August 2004.


RESULTS
the interviews comprised several questions concerning attitudes and opinions of the programme. Most of the women expressed positive experiences with the treatment and would attend the programme if they became pregnant again. Most of the women stated that they had changed their eating and exercise habits during pregnancy, and almost all of them had continued with these new habits. Even though the weight gain goal of a maximum 6.9 kg was reached by less than half of the participants, most of the women were satisfied with their weight gain. A total of 71.4% of the women participated in aqua aerobics classes. They stated that they were most satisfied with this form of exercise, and that it also was a good social experience.


CONCLUSIONS
a pregnant woman herself must be actively involved in setting her own goals to prevent excessive weight gain during pregnancy. Considerable effort and support must be placed on discussing strategies, pitfalls and risks. In order for the woman to maintain the change in attitude and habits, she must probably be given continuous feedback and reinforcement over the long term.
Claesson
Ing-Marie
IM
Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital, SE-581 85 Linköping, Sweden. Ing-Marie.Claesson@lio.se
Josefsson
Ann
A
Cedergren
Marie
M
Brynhildsen
Jan
J
Jeppsson
Annika
A
Nyström
Fredrik
F
Sydsjö
Adam
A
Sydsjö
Gunilla
G
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D009765:Obesity / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods*; D012944:Social Support; D013548:Sweden