Abstract
Background
Postpartum weight retention increases the risk of long-term overweight and obesity
and associated comorbidities. Healthy eating and physical activity are important lifestyle
behaviors for achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. However, these habits may
be hard for women to adopt or maintain during the postpartum period.
Objective
To identify and describe barriers and facilitators to healthy eating and physical
activity among postpartum women in the United States.
Methods
A qualitative systematic review was conducted. Qualitative studies on women’s experiences
with weight loss, healthy eating, and physical activity in the postpartum period were
identified using a comprehensive search strategy. The quality of included studies
was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist. Data were qualitatively
analyzed using thematic synthesis. Resulting themes were mapped onto components of
the Social-Ecological Model for Food and Physical Activity Decisions.
Results
Thirteen qualitative studies were included in the review. Barriers and facilitators
to healthy eating and physical activity during the postpartum period included individual
factors (emotional and mindless eating, physical limitations, and social support),
settings and sectors (food environments, childcare needs, and structured information
and support), and social and cultural norms (time constraints, and prioritization
of maternal responsibilities).
Conclusions
Researchers and practitioners should consider how factors within various levels of
the Social-Ecological Model may influence healthy eating and physical activity in
the postpartum period.
Keywords
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Biography
R. A. Ryan is a PhD candidate, Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, New York University, New York City.
Biography
J. D. Bihuniak is an assistant professor of clinical nutrition, Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, New York University, New York City.
Biography
H. Lappen is a life sciences librarian, Division of Libraries, New York University, New York City.
Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 24, 2021
Accepted:
November 20,
2021
Received:
April 12,
2021
Footnotes
Supplementary Materials: Table 2 and Figure 2 are available at www.jandonline.org
STATEMENT OF POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
FUNDING/SUPPORT There is no funding to disclose.
AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS R. Ryan conceptualized the study; screened and selected studies for inclusion; conducted quality appraisals, data extraction, and data analysis; and wrote the manuscript. H. Lappen developed the search strategy and screened and selected studies for inclusion. J. D. Bihuniak conducted quality appraisals and data analysis, and provided manuscript revisions.
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
