title: Behaviour change techniques to change the postnatal eating and physical activity behaviours of women who are obese: a qualitative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the experiences of postnatal women who are obese [body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m(2) ] in relation to making behaviour changes and use of behaviour change techniques (BCTs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative interview study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Greater Manchester, UK.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women who were 1 year postnatal aged ≥18 years, who had an uncomplicated singleton pregnancy, and an antenatal booking BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2) .
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen semi-structured, audio-recorded interviews were conducted by a research midwife with women who volunteered to be interviewed 1 year after taking part in a pilot randomised controlled trial. The six stages of thematic analysis were followed to understand the qualitative data. The Behavior Change Technique Taxonomy (version 1) was used to label the behaviour change techniques (BCTs) reported by women.
  
  
  METHODS
  Themes derived from 1-year postnatal interview transcripts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two themes were evident: 1. A focused approach to postnatal weight management: women reported making specific changes to their eating and physical activity behaviours, and 2. Need for support: six BCTs were reported as helping women make changes to their eating and physical activity behaviours; three were reported more frequently than others: Self-monitoring of behaviour (2.3), Prompts/cues (7.1) and Social support (unspecified; 3.1). All of the BCTs required support from others for their delivery; food diaries were the most popular delivery method.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Behaviour change techniques are useful to postnatal women who are obese, and have the potential to improve their physical and mental wellbeing. Midwives and obstetricians should be aware of such techniques, to encourage positive changes.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychological Sciences and Manchester Centre for Health Psychology, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Maternal & Fetal Health Research Centre, Institute of Human Development, St Mary's Hospital, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Midwifery & Social Work, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lavender
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D037001:Directive Counseling; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000379:methods*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012944:Social Support; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Behaviour change; diet; obesity; physical activity; postnatal; qualitative