Ethnic Differences in Preferences for Lifestyle Intervention among Women after Childbirth: A Multi-Methods Study in Australia

Mingling Chen; Maureen Makama; Helen Skouteris; Lisa J Moran; Cheryce L Harrison; Tammie Choi; Siew Lim

doi:10.3390/nu15020472

Ethnic Differences in Preferences for Lifestyle Intervention among Women after Childbirth: A Multi-Methods Study in Australia

Nutrients. 2023 Jan 16;15(2):472. doi: 10.3390/nu15020472.

Authors

Mingling Chen¹, Maureen Makama¹, Helen Skouteris^{2

3}, Lisa J Moran¹, Cheryce L Harrison¹, Tammie Choi⁴, Siew Lim^{1

5}

Affiliations

¹ Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia.
² Health and Social Care Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia.
³ Warwick Business School, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK.
⁴ Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Notting Hill, VIC 3168, Australia.
⁵ Eastern Health Clinical School, Monash University, Box Hill, VIC 3128, Australia.

Abstract

Postpartum weight retention contributes to maternal obesity and varies by ethnicity. Despite the well-established benefits of lifestyle intervention on weight management, little is known about how to engage postpartum women effectively, especially among ethnic minority groups. This multi-methods study aimed to explore ethnic differences in women's preferences for lifestyle intervention after childbirth. Women within five years of childbirth and living with their youngest child in Australia were recruited in an online survey (n = 504) and semi-structured interviews (n = 17). The survey and interview questions were structured based on the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) framework. Ethnic groups were categorized as Oceanian, Asian and Other according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Chi-square tests were used to compare the preferred intervention characteristics between groups. Qualitative data were thematically analysed. The survey showed that most women across all ethnic groups were interested in receiving lifestyle support in the early postpartum period (from 7 weeks to 3 months postpartum). All ethnic groups preferred a regular lifestyle intervention delivered by health professionals that promotes accountability and provides practical strategies. However, Asian women had a higher desire for infant care and a lower desire for mental health in the intervention content compared with Oceanian women. Moreover, Asian women were more likely to favour interventions that are initiated in a later postpartum period, over a shorter duration, and with less intervention frequency, compared with Oceanian women. The interviews further indicated the need for intervention adaptations in the Asian group to address the cultural relevance of food and postpartum practices. These ethnic-specific preferences should be considered in the development of culturally appropriate intervention strategies to optimize engagement in healthy lifestyles among the targeted ethnic groups.

Keywords: ethnicity; lifestyle intervention; postpartum; qualitative; survey.

MeSH terms

Australia
Child
Ethnicity*
Female
Humans
Life Style
Minority Groups*
Parturition
Postpartum Period / psychology
Pregnancy

Grants and funding

This study was supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council Fellowship (APP1139481; S.L.); National Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellowship (101169; L.J.M.); Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship (M.C.); and Senior Postdoctoral Fellowship from the National Health and Medical Research Council Centre for Research Excellence for Health in Preconception and Pregnancy (APP1171142; C.L.H.). The interviews were funded by the Australian Prevention Partnership Centre. The article processing charge was funded by the Australian Prevention Partnership Centre’s Seeding Grants Program (M.C.). The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre is funded by the NHMRC, Australian Government Department of Health, ACT Health, Cancer Council Australia, NSW Ministry of Health, Wellbeing SA, Tasmanian Department of Health, and VicHealth. The Australian Government also contributed through the Medical Research Future Fund. Queensland Health became a financial contributor in 2022. The Prevention Centre is administered by the Sax Institute.