Making compromises: a qualitative study of sugar consumption behaviors during pregnancy

Abstract

Objective: To explore influences on women's sugar consumption behaviors during pregnancy.

Design: Focused ethnography guided this qualitative study. Contrasting experiences between women with varying sugar intakes were investigated using semi-structured interviews.

Setting: Metropolitan area, Canada.

Participants: Fifteen women with varying intakes of added sugar, who were in the third trimester of their first pregnancy, participated in this study.

Phenomenon of interest: Sugar consumption behaviors during pregnancy.

Analysis: Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using qualitative content analysis to inductively derive themes.

Results: Pregnant women increased their intake of sugars in an effort to achieve a compromise between meeting nutrition recommendations, lifestyle adjustments, physical symptoms, and cultural norms. Physical symptoms, lack of nutritional guidance, and social pressures were identified as barriers to achieving a diet low in sugars, whereas implementing dietary strategies guided by nutritional knowledge was a facilitator.

Conclusions and implications: This research provides insights that may be used to design effective interventions to improve maternal health. Strategies to help pregnant women achieve a healthy diet and limit sugar intake should be guided by nutritional knowledge, dietary awareness, and internal motivations to engage in healthy dietary changes.

Keywords: behavior; diet; pregnancy; qualitative research; sugars.