Pregnancy and Eating Behaviour (P-EAT) (Version 1)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the extent to which models of ‘teachable moments’ explain eating behaviour in pregnancy: A longitudinal prospective study
IRAS ID
264741
Contact name
Lauren Rockliffe
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 1 months, 29 days
Research summary
Pregnancy is commonly referred to as a ‘teachable moment’. That is, a significant health event thought to motivate an individual to make positive changes to their health. Using the time around pregnancy to encourage women to adopt healthy behaviours has the potential to reduce the risk of pregnancy-related conditions, complications at the time of birth, and improve the long-term health of the mother and child.
Several psychological theories seem to explain why pregnancy can act as a teachable moment, however, these theories have not been researched with pregnant women. Furthermore, pregnancy, as a ‘health event’, is often described as a teachable moment, however different trimesters or events during pregnancy may act as individual teachable moments, creating multiple opportunities to encourage healthy behaviour change throughout pregnancy.
The aim of this study is to understand what factors affect women’s eating behaviour during pregnancy, by testing two psychological models of teachable moments. Furthermore, this study will explore whether certain factors are more important than others at different time-points throughout the antenatal and postnatal period.
To investigate this, pregnant women will be asked to complete four short surveys; three whilst they are pregnant and one shortly after they give birth. To take part, women must be 12-16 weeks pregnant, receiving maternity care in the UK, and having only one baby (as apposed to twins). They must also be over the age of 18.
Women will be recruited online, via poster advertisements and from antenatal services in Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, including four hospitals in this trust and community clinics.
Recruitment will take place over a four-month period and data collection will continue for a total of thirteen months. It is anticipated that recruitment will begin around the start of 2020.
REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/NW/0674
Date of REC Opinion
4 Nov 2019
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion