barriers and facilitators of weight management in pregnancy for women overweight and obese: a qualitative research

Background: excessive gestational weight gain (gwg) in overweight/obese pregnant women has multiple adverse outcomes on maternal and neonatal health. a better understanding of pregnant women’s perceptions and experiences regarding barriers and facilitators of weight management during pregnancy is necessary to develop interventions to prevent excessive gwg among this group.methods: this qualitative study was conducted with 16 pregnant women having a body mass index (bmi) over 25. data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews and analyzed using conventional qualitative content analysis.results: the findings of this study were categorized into two main themes: barriers and facilitators of weight management during pregnancy. barriers included six subcategories: overeating due to previous habits and context, eating changes related to pregnancy, beliefs about weight management, physical activity limitations, difficulty adhering to a diet, and the use of defense mechanisms. facilitators were grouped into three subcategories: social support from spouse, family, and friends; focus on weight control motivation; and education and counseling.conclusion: this qualitative study analyzed the challenges and facilitators of weight management in overweight and obese pregnant women. the results indicate multiple barriers and success factors affecting weight management. these findings emphasize that effective interventions should focus on identifying and overcoming existing barriers while strengthening facilitating factors, providing appropriate social and educational support considering cultural and individual beliefs to ensure better maternal and neonatal health outcomes.