Barriers and enablers toward healthy eating and weight gain among pregnant women in Vietnam: A qualitative study with analysis informed by the theoretical domains framework and COM-B model

Abstract

Undernutrition and insufficient gestational weight gain can negatively affect maternal and infant health short- and long-term. In Vietnam, 50% of pregnant women lack essential nutrients, and 75% do not gain enough weight. Current interventions have limited success due to a gap in understanding their determinants. This study aimed to identify barriers and facilitators to healthy eating and weight gain among pregnant Vietnamese women. This qualitative study collected data from 20 pregnant Vietnamese women via virtual focus groups. Discussions were audio-recorded and translated into English for thematic analysis. The study utilized the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation to Behaviour (COM-B) model and Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to map the identified themes. Fifteen themes mapped onto nine of the 14 theoretical TDF domains, providing a comprehensive understanding of barriers and enablers to healthy eating and gestational weight gain within the COM-B model.