title: Provision of weight management advice for obese women during pregnancy: a survey of current practice and midwives' views on future approaches.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Public Health Nutrition Research, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital & Medical School, Dundee, UK NHS Tayside, Directorate of Public Health, Kings Cross, Clepington Road, Dundee, UK.
authors.forename: Maureen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Macleod
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gregor
authors.forename: Carol
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Barnett
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Magee
authors.forename: Joyce
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Annie S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Anderson
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004038:Diet, Reducing / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D039382:Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D008880:Midwifery / Q000379:methods*; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011181:Postnatal Care; D057285:Precision Medicine; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D011295:Prenatal Care; D012606:Scotland; D015430:Weight Gain