Promoting Healthy Gestational Weight Gain with Individualized Prenatal Nutrition Education

Abstract

Background: Arizona has one of the highest maternal mortality rates among all 50 states, ranking at 11. In Arizona, the prevalence of excessive gestational weight gain has nearly doubled over the last 10 years. Excessive gestational weight gain is associated with an increased risk of maternal morbidity, reaching up to 39%. Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to implement and evaluate patient education individualized based on responses in a nutrition assessment effect on patient satisfaction, self-efficacy, and engagement of obstetric patients. Methods: The setting for this project took place in a high-volume outpatient obstetrics-gynecology clinic. Eight individuals volunteered to participate in this single 20-minute session at the end of their routine prenatal appointment. Consent was acquired by the project director prior to the administration of the pre-intervention survey and nutrition assessment. The project director provided nutrition education tailored to each participant. A post-intervention survey was administered, and no further follow-up was required. Results: Participants had a mean pre-pregnancy BMI of 30.26 and an average gestational age of 26 weeks. Measures of elf-efficacy, satisfaction, and engagement mean score slightly increased post-intervention. A significant key finding is that only 1/8 (12%) participants knew the appropriate amount of gestational weight gain. Conclusions: Unhealthy gestational weight gain is a modifiable risk factor that poses a threat to population health. Patients do not have the proper knowledge of healthy GWG, and they are motivated to learn more. The intervention in this project is an effective, sustainable intervention that focuses on improving self-efficacy, engagement, and satisfaction. These three outcomes are important in improving health outcomes.