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. 2024 Jan 30;21(1):15.
doi: 10.1186/s12978-024-01742-z.

Weight development from childhood to motherhood-embodied experiences in women with pre-pregnancy obesity: a qualitative study

Heidi L Sandsæter  1   2 , Trine Tetlie Eik-Nes  3   4 , Linn Okkenhaug Getz  5 , Hege S Haugdahl  6 , Elisabeth Balstad Magnussen  7   8 , Janet W Rich-Edwards  9   10 , Julie Horn  11   12
Affiliations

Weight development from childhood to motherhood-embodied experiences in women with pre-pregnancy obesity: a qualitative study

Heidi L Sandsæter et al. Reprod Health. .

Abstract

Background: Pre-pregnancy obesity increases the risk of perinatal complications. Post-pregnancy is a time of preparation for the next pregnancy and lifestyle advice in antenatal care and postpartum follow-up is therefore recommended. However, behavioral changes are difficult to achieve, and a better understanding of pregnant women's perspectives and experiences of pre-pregnancy weight development is crucial.

Methods: We used a qualitative design and conducted semi-structured interviews with 14 women in Norway with pre-pregnancy obesity 3-12 months postpartum. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results: Four themes addressing women's experiences and understanding of their weight development were generated: (1) Unmet essential needs, (2) Genetic predisposition for obesity, challenging life course transitions and turning points, (3) Under a critical eye: an ever-present negative bodily awareness, and (4) Wrestling with food. Parents' inability to meet children's essential needs caused weight gain through an unbalanced diet, increased stress, and emotional eating patterns. Body criticism and a feeling of not belonging led to negative body awareness that influenced behavioral patterns and relationships. Participants reporting having had a good childhood more often described their weight development as a result of genetic predisposition, challenging life course transitions and turning points, such as illness and injuries. Nevertheless, these participants also described how eating patterns were influenced by stress and negative emotions.

Conclusions: Healthcare providers should pay attention to the insider perspectives of pre-pregnancy weight development. An open and shared understanding of the root causes of these women's weight development can form a basis for more successful lifestyle guidance.

Keywords: Adverse childhood experiences; Embodiment; Pre-pregnancy obesity; Qualitative research; Weight history.

Plain language summary

Pregnant women with obesity face increased risks of pregnancy-related complications, warranting extended monitoring of their lifestyle and weight during pregnancy. The complexity of obesity makes lifestyle changes challenging both during and beyond pregnancy. Limited research exists on understanding weight development from the perspective of pregnant women with obesity. To explore their understanding and experiences of weight development from childhood to motherhood, we conducted in-depth interviews with 14 women with a BMI ≥ 30 before their pregnancies. The interviews were preformed 3–12 months post-birth. Through thematic analysis, four themes were developed: (1) Unmet essential needs, (2) Genetic predisposition for obesity, challenging life course transitions, and turning points, (3) Under a critical eye: an ever-present negative bodily awareness, and (4) Wrestling with food. Parental neglect of their children’s essential needs may result in unhealthy weight gain through an unbalanced diet and/or an urgent need to regulate negative emotions with food. Body criticism and self-perceived differences deprive children and adolescents of a carefree and accepting relationship with their bodies. While participants with a satisfactory childhood more often understood their weight in light of hereditary factors, difficult transitional phases, illness, or injuries, several of them described an eating pattern influenced by negative emotions such as stress, work pressure, and depressed mood. An open and shared understanding of the root causes of these women’s weight development can form a basis for more successful lifestyle guidance.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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