Assessment of Lifestyle Counseling Offered During Pregnancy [18E

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Mild to moderate exercise, proper diet, and appropriate weight gain during pregnancy are linked to numerous maternal health benefits and improved fetal outcomes. This study was done to assess discrepancies in current patient counseling offered by outpatient clinicians, with a future goal of creating standardized patient education programs. METHODS: IRB exempt status was obtained. Surveys were administered before obstetric office visits. Information gathered included age, race/ethnicity, insurance type, body mass index, education level, pregnancy history, and counseling/knowledge about diet, exercise, and weight management. Statistical analysis was performed with JMP and GraphPad statistical software. RESULTS: 73 surveys were completed with 69 subsequently analyzed. Average age of participants was 30.25 years, gestational age ranged from 7-40 weeks with a mean of 25.2, and 29.4% were primigravid. Only 48.5% of patients received exercise counseling, 64.2% diet counseling, and 58.2% weight gain counseling. White and Black women were counseled more about diet than Asian women (p=0.045 and p=0.0067); Black women received more than Hispanic women (p=00192). Obese women received more exercise and diet counseling than normal-weight women (p=0.016 and p=0.0294). Underweight women also received more diet counseling than normal-weight women (p=0.0168). There were no differences in counseling about weight gain during pregnancy according to BMI class or race. CONCLUSION: The number of women receiving counseling on diet, exercise, and weight management during pregnancy is suboptimal. Of the patients receiving counseling, there is a discrepancy between races and weight. Future implementation of a standardized program is recommended to adequately educate all patients.