Work

Hispanic Views About Online Information on Weight Gain, Diet, and Physical Activity in Pregnancy: A Qualitative Study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The vast amount of online health resources accessible to the public and the pregnant population shows their high interest in using online health resources for their pregnancies. In this study, we specifically aimed to understand the experience and use of online pregnancy health information among Hispanic individuals, who are at higher risk of gaining outside of the recommended guideline of gestational weight gain (GWG) than the overall U.S. childbearing population. We conducted face-to-face semi-structured interviews with 20 childbearing-age Hispanic individuals (who were either pregnant or non-pregnant) in the Austin area to explore seeking, understanding, and using online information about recommendations for GWG, diet, and physical activity during pregnancy. Using reflexive thematic analysis, we identified both user perspectives and website features that affected the participants' engagement with and application of online pregnancy information. We conclude that the benefits of online resources fill gaps left by healthcare providers. Nurses as care providers and content creators of health information can help translate guidelines into behaviors that Hispanic people could apply in their everyday lives.

Source: Global Qualitative Nursing Research

DOI: 10.1177/23333936251334514

Authors: Sookja Kang, Lorraine O. Walker, Kelly Pretorius, Michael Mackert

Institutions: The University of Texas at Austin, Texas Children's Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Health Literacy and Information Accessibility

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,000