286612
Beginning obesity prevention before birth in a U.S./Mexico border community
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
: 8:52 a.m. - 9:12 a.m.
Christine B. Williams, MPH,
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Child Development and Community Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
Juanita Garcia, B.S.,
Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA
Sheila Gahagan, MD, MPH,
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Child Development and Community Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
Background: Optimal gestational weight gain followed by breastfeeding may aid in preventing childhood obesity. This study tested feasibility and acceptability of an intervention designed to promote optimal gestational weight gain and intention to breastfeed. Methods: First-time, pregnant women at a community health center near the U.S./Mexico border attended weekly promotora-led group exercise, nutrition & breastfeeding activities (n= 23). We explored text messaging vs. social media for support between classes. Assessments included height, weight, nutrition, physical activity, and breastfeeding knowledge and beliefs. Results: Most participants were U.S. born (73%), preferred Spanish (83%), had high school education or less (65%), and were overweight/obese (56%). Change in beliefs/knowledge about nutrition, exercise and intention to breastfeed were observed and 100% of participants stated they would recommend this program to a friend. A private social media group was a more feasible form of out-of-class communication than text messaging. Attendance varied due to transportation and family/life conflicts. Other barriers included beliefs about safe exercise during pregnancy and low adherence to self-monitoring tasks. In the second component of this study, the intervention continues during the first post-partum year to support return to pre-pregnancy weight and optimal infant weight gain. Conclusions: An intervention to promote optimal weight gain in pregnancy was well received and resulted in changes in beliefs and knowledge. Coordination of group activities with prenatal visits and transportation support could improve feasibility. Beginning obesity prevention during pregnancy, in high-risk populations, holds promise as a way to influence birthweight and encourage healthy behaviors in first-time mothers.
Learning Areas:
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Learning Objectives:
Discuss the feasibility of a promotora-led intervention to promote optimal weight gain during pregnancy and intention to breastfeed in a U.S./Mexico border community.
Keyword(s): Pregnancy, Maternal and Child Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have worked and volunteered at the study site community clinic over the past 4 years. I have a Masters in Public Health in Health Behavior and manage the project on which this research is based. My master's thesis focused on this same population and prenatal care initiation rates. My educational and professional experiences are centered around prenatal care, maternal weight gain and childhood obesity, and working in the California U.S./Mexico border region.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
