Promotion of Healthy Weight among Navajo Nation Prenatal and Postpartum Women

Abstract

LEARNING OUTCOME: To identify three activities to use with par-professionals in promoting a healthy weight for prenatal and postpartum women enrolled in the Navajo Nation Women, Infant and Children (WIC) program. Prenatal overweight and high gestational weight gain can contribute to a higher incidence of obstetric complications, including prolonged labor, pyelonephritis, diabetes, hypertension and thromboembolism. Out of 28, 772 records examined by the 1994 CDC Pregnancy Nutrition Surveillance System for the Navajo Nation WIC Program, weight status was 20% overweight and 25% very overweight in prenatal women. Within 73 clinics, the prevalence of overweight increased as the mother's age increased (age:16–19, 22.5%; age:20–29, 43%;age:30–39, 60%; age:40–49, 63.5%).These percentages include overweight and very overweight categories(BMI >26). Since the Year 2000 objective is to reduce overweight to <25% among low income women ≥20 years a need is evident among the Navajo Nation WIC program to develop healthy weight nutrition education material to assist in promotion of a healthy weight during pregnancy. Navajo specific prenatal nutrition education material promoting a healthy weight gain with appropriate dietary recommendations were developed. Common complications during pregnancy were addressed with appropriate nutrition messages. Since overweight can continue to be a health problem in the postpartum woman, nutrition health messages for weight reduction were also developed.