The influence of personal factors perceived benefit barrier self efficacy and social support on weight control behaviors of pregnant women with over pre pregnancy body mass index
Abstract:
This descriptive research aimed at determining predictors of weight control behaviors of pregnant women with over pre-pregnancy body mass index during pregnancy. The conceptual framework guiding the study was Pender's health promotion model (Pender, 1996) and the purposive sample consisted of 100 pregnant women with over pre-pregnancy body mass index who attended an antenatal clinic in two hospitals from July to August, 2016. The instruments used to collect data were composed of the Personal Characteristics Data Form, the Perceived Benefit Questionnaire, the Perceived Barrier Questionnaire, the Perceived Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, the Social Support Questionnaire, and Weight Control Behaviors Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and stepwise multiple regression analysis. Results of the study revealed that the participants had a moderate level of weight control behaviors during pregnancy. Perceived self-efficacy and social support were the predictors which could together significantly explain 64% of the variance of weight control behaviors among the pregnant women (p < .05). Based on the findings of this study, nurses should assess the perceived self-efficacy and social support of the pregnant women with over prepregnancy body mass index, and promote the pregnant women's social support and self-efficacy for developing effective weight control behaviors.