IJERPH, Vol. 17, Pages 9180: Women ’s Barriers to Weight Loss, Perception of Future Diabetes Risk and Opinions of Diet Strategies Following Gestational Diabetes: An Online Survey

IJERPH, Vol. 17, Pages 9180: Women’s Barriers to Weight Loss, Perception of Future Diabetes Risk and Opinions of Diet Strategies Following Gestational Diabetes: An Online Survey International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health doi: 10.3390/ijerph17249180 Authors: Gray McKellar O’Reilly Clifton Keogh Weight loss after gestational diabetes (GDM) reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2DM); however, weight loss remains challenging in this population. In order to explore perceptions of T2DM risk, barriers to weight loss, and views of diet strategies in women with previous GDM, a cross-sectional online survey of n = 429 women in Australia aged ≥18 years with previous GDM was conducted. Opinions of intermittent energy restriction (IER) were of interest. Seventy-five percent of responders (n = 322) had overweight or obesity, and 34% (n = 144) believed they had a high risk of developing T2DM. Within the Theoretical Domains Framework, barriers to weight loss were prominently related to Environmental Context and Resources, Beliefs about Capabilities, and Behavioural Regulation. Exercising was the most tried method of weight loss over other diet strategies (71%, n = 234) and weight loss support by a dietician was appealing as individual appointments (65%, n = 242) or an online program (54%, n = 200). Most women (73%, n = 284) had heard of IER (the “5:2 diet”), but only 12% (n = 34) had tried it. Open comment...
Source: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Tags: Article Source Type: research