What women really think about gestational weight management: A thematic analysis of posts made in online parenting...

Traditional research methods may not assess true beliefs and views of sensitive topics such as obesity because the research situation tends to promote particular responses based on the perceived expectations of the researcher and pressure to be 'politically correct'. The publication of the NICE guidance on weight management in pregnancy in 2010, and the subsequent press coverage of it, provided a stimulus for discussion of gestational weight management on UK-based online parenting forums. A systematic search identified 21 UK parenting forums on which 400 posts referring to guidance on weight management in pregnancy were made by 202 women in the two-week period following the publication of the guidance. These posts were analysed thematically resulting in the identification of three main themes: (i) Perceived control/responsibility (ii) Risk perception (iii) Confused messages. Women differed in their perceptions of the level of control that people had over being overweight with some women reporting feeling guilty and experiencing significant obesity stigma. Information about the risks of overweight and obesity in pregnancy were difficult messages for women to hear, and for health professionals to deliver and they used a range of strategies to downplay their personal risk. Women reported being confused by the messages that they received. Health messages need to be delivered sensitively to women, and health professionals need support and training to do this. Risk information should always be accompanied with advice and support to help women to manage their weight in pregnancy.