Emotional Experiences of Obese Women with Adequate Gestational Weight Variation: A Qualitative Study.

Débora Bicudo Faria-Schützer,Carla Maria Vieira,Vera Lucia Pereira Alves,Fernanda Garanhani De Castro Surita,Egberto Ribeiro Turato,Sari Helena Räisänen

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0141879

Débora Bicudo Faria-Schützer, Carla Maria Vieira + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0141879

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Abstract

BackgroundAs a result of the growth of the obese population, the number of obese women of fertile age has increased in the last few years. Obesity in pregnancy is related to greater levels of anxiety, depression and physical harm. However, pregnancy is an opportune moment for the intervention of health care professionals to address obesity. The objective of this study was to describe how obese pregnant women emotionally experience success in adequate weight control.Methods and FindingsUsing a qualitative design that seeks to understand content in the field of health, the sample of subjects was deliberated, with thirteen obese pregnant women selected to participate in an individual interview. Data was analysed by inductive content analysis and includes complete transcription of the interviews, re-readings using suspended attention, categorization in discussion topics and the qualitative and inductive analysis of the content. The analysis revealed four categories, three of which show the trajectory of body care that obese women experience during pregnancy: 1) The obese pregnant woman starts to think about her body;2) The challenge of the diet for the obese pregnant woman; 3) The relation of the obese pregnant woman with the team of antenatal professionals. The fourth category reveals the origin of the motivation for the change: 4) The potentializing factors for change: the motivation of the obese woman while pregnant.ConclusionsDuring pregnancy, obese women are more in touch with themselves and with their emotional conflicts. Through the transformations of their bodies, women can start a more refined self-care process and experience of the body-mind unit. The fear for their own and their baby's life, due to the risks posed by obesity, appears to be a great potentializing factor for change. The relationship with the professionals of the health care team plays an important role in the motivational support of the obese pregnant woman.

Highlights

The obese population has increased systematically worldwide in the past few decades [1]
Emotional Experiences of Obese Women with Adequate Gestational Weight baby's life, due to the risks posed by obesity, appears to be a great potentializing factor for change
The relationship with the professionals of the health care team plays an important role in the motivational support of the obese pregnant woman

Summary

Introduction

The obese population has increased systematically worldwide in the past few decades [1]. As a part of the obese population, the number of overweight/obese women of a fertile age has increased [4]. This phenomenon is a current challenge for health services since prepregnancy obesity and/or excessive gestational weight gain may harm both mother and baby [5], [6], [7]. A pregnancy is a moment of huge physical, psychological and social changes in the life of a woman. Pregnancy is a mark of emotional development in a woman [9] and is frequently accompanied by behavioral changes and positive attitudes towards weight and nutrition [10].

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