Understanding Weight Gain Beliefs Among Central American Pregnant Women
Author Information
Author(s): Virginia A. Moreno, Doris Lucero, Nachalie Rodriguez-Cruz, Qun Le, Mary L. Greaney, Ana Cristina Lindsay, Paul B. Tchounwou
Primary Institution: University of Massachusetts Boston
Hypothesis
What are the beliefs and concerns about gestational weight gain among Central American immigrant women in the U.S.?
Conclusion
The study found significant differences in beliefs and access to prenatal care among pregnant Central American immigrant women, highlighting the need for culturally competent health education.
Supporting Evidence
- 72.1% of Guatemalan women accepted the belief of 'eating for two' during pregnancy.
- More Honduran women (90.5%) received weight gain recommendations from healthcare providers compared to Salvadorans (62.1%) and Guatemalans (60.5%).
- 86.2% of Salvadoran women expressed concern about gaining too much weight during pregnancy.
Takeaway
This study looked at how pregnant women from Central America think about weight gain during pregnancy and where they get their information. It found that many women are worried about gaining too much weight and want better advice from doctors.
Methodology
A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 93 pregnant women from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, using telephone interviews to gather data on beliefs, concerns, and sources of information regarding gestational weight gain.
Potential Biases
Self-reported data on pre-pregnancy weight status may underestimate true weight status and introduce bias.
Limitations
The study's cross-sectional design and small sample size limit the generalizability of the findings.
Participant Demographics
Participants were primarily married, with 91.2% having household incomes below $40,000, and included women from El Salvador (31.2%), Guatemala (46.2%), and Honduras (22.6%).
Statistical Information
P-Value
p = 0.03
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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