Title : Dietary strategies regarding weight management among postpartum women in Ghana: A qualitative inquiry
Abstract:
Background and Objective:
Post-partum weight retention contributes to obesity for many women. Excess body adiposity is a serious health concern associated with chronic diseases such as type II diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases across the human life cycle. Key components such as dietary modifications, increased physical activity, and behavioral changes are essential for achieving and maintaining a healthy body weight. However, in the post-partum phase, there is scarcity of literature concerning the dietary approaches that women employ to control their weight. The objective of the study was to explore weight management experiences of Ghanaian women during post-partum period.
Method:
The study is a qualitative study using in-depth interviews. Interview were conducted in 6 healthcare centers in the Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana among twenty eight post-partum women who were recruited through consecutive sampling. Qualitative data analysis was performed using the Braun and Clarke's reflective thematic analysis method in MAXQDA Analytics Pro 2020.
Results:
Three themes emerged from the study: (i) post-partum weight concerns; (ii) dietary modifications; (iii) influence, support, and recommendations. Participants were usually unsure of when to start dietary changes targeted to managing body weight after birth. Challenges to initiating weight management strategies included physical weakness, fatigue, the demands of caring for newborns, and inadequate social support. Weigh-ins by health care professionals often initiated weight management, but the lack of guidance led the study participants to seek alternative nutritional advice such as herbs, traditional concoctions, and home-made recipes. Cultural and family recommendations sometimes conflicted with personal weight management goals.
Conclusion:
The findings of our study align with existing literature indicating inadequate support from health care professionals to assist women in the post-partum period to manage their weight. Quantitative studies may be conducted to assess the prevalence of inadequate support from healthcare professionals regarding weight management in the post-partum period.
Keywords: Postpartum women; dietary strategies; weight management
