Barriers and coping strategies of women with gestational diabetes to follow dietary advice

Abstract

Objective: To understand barriers and coping strategies of women with gestational diabetes (GDM) to follow dietary advice.

Design: Qualitative study.

Participants: Thirty women with GDM from the Winnipeg area participated. Each participant completed a Food Choice Map (FCM) semi-structured interview and a demographic questionnaire.

Major outcome measures: Underlying beliefs of women with GDM and factors that hinder following dietary advice.

Analysis: Qualitative data analyzed using constant comparative method to identify emergent themes of factors and beliefs that affected following dietary advice. Themes were categorized within the Integrative Model of Behavioral Prediction.

Results: GDM women faced challenges and barriers when (1) personal food preference conflicted with dietary advice; (2) eating in different social environments where food choice and portions were out of control and food choice decisions were affected by social norms; (3) lack of knowledge and skills in dietary management and lack of a tailored dietary plan.

Conclusions and implications: Quick adaptation to dietary management in a short time period created challenges for women with GDM. Stress and anxiety were reported when women talked about following dietary advice. Tailored educational and mental health consultation with consideration of the barriers may promote dietary compliance and overall better health.

Keywords: Compliance; Dietary advice; Food choice; Gestational diabetes; Pregnancy.