Utilization of the internet for physical activity and diet information and its influence on pregnant women’s lifestyle habits in Qatar

Background: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy is essential. With the increasing availability of the internet, pregnant women have access to a wealth of information related to physical activity (PA) and healthy diets.

Objectives: The study aims to investigate the extent of internet usage by pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Qatar to obtain information about PA and healthy diets, identify associated factors, and evaluate the impact of this information on their lifestyle habits.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in six randomly selected public antenatal clinics in Qatar. Pregnant women aged ≥18 years in any trimester were recruited using a probability sampling technique. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires. Descriptive and analytic statistics were employed for data analysis.

Results: A total of 327 pregnant women (mean age of 29.5 years ± 4.0) completed and returned the questionnaire (response rate: 87.5%). Among the participants, 54.5% used the internet to obtain information about PA, while 72% sought online diet-related information. Factors such as age (26–35 years), tertiary education, employment status, and being primigravidae were associated with a higher likelihood of using the internet for healthy lifestyles information. Participants who reported using the internet for PA information a great deal were more likely to increase their PA during pregnancy compared to those who used it somewhat or very little (57.6, 26.8, and 5.0%, p < 0.001; respectively). Similarly, those who used the internet for diet information a great deal were more likely to increase their fruit and vegetable consumption compared to those who used it somewhat, or very little (84.2, 68.5, and 63.6%, p = 0.038; respectively). Also, participants who used the internet for diet information a great deal were more likely to decrease the amount of sugary and fatty foods they ate compared to women who used the internet somewhat or very little (61.4, 45.2, and 18.2%, p < 0.001; respectively) and (50.9, 30.4, and 18.2%, p = 0.001; respectively).

Conclusion: Many pregnant women use the internet to access information about PA and diet, and greater use is associated with more positive lifestyle changes. This study provides useful information to consider when designing intervention programs for pregnant women about adopting and maintaining healthy lifestyles.

Introduction

Pregnancy is considered a risk period for women as it is associated with poorer health behaviors including inadequate dietary habits and decreased physical activity (PA). As a result, pregnant women and their unborn child are at a greater risk of adverse health outcomes (1). Therefore, a woman’s health behaviors during pregnancy have lifelong implications for her own health and the health of her child (1).

The benefits of PA during pregnancy are numerous and include improvement of physical fitness, reduction in cesarean section rates, appropriate maternal and fetal weight gain, and management of gestational diabetes (2, 3). Also, PA during pregnancy is associated with improved psychological well-being and reduced risk of postpartum depressive symptoms (4). During pregnancy, if not contraindicated, a moderate-intensity aerobic exercise of 150 min throughout the week has been recommended (5). However, studies have shown that many pregnant women do not reach these recommendations, and that time allocated to PA tends to decrease during the course of pregnancy (6). Moreover, PA in pregnancy has been shown to be safe, desirable and of great benefit to most women. Hence pregnant women should be encouraged to continue or to initiate safe PA (5, 7).

In pregnancy, unhealthy diet and excessive gestational weight gain have been recognized as independent risk factors for maternal obesity and related pregnancy complications (1, 8). The offspring of these women are at higher risk of childhood overweight, obesity, and adult Type 2 Diabetes (9). Having a healthy diet during pregnancy helps women gain weight within international guidelines, potentially reducing the risk of related adverse outcomes (3, 10).

Studies have also indicated that online platforms have become popular resources for pregnant women to access information on PA and healthy diet (11–13). Current evidence suggests that online interventions can positively impact the dietary patterns of pregnant women. For instance, a systematic review conducted by Huang et al. (12) revealed that pregnant women who used online resources to manage their diet had a higher intake of fruits and vegetables than those who did not use online resources. In addition, a meta-analysis by Davenport et al. (14) established that online interventions may increase the time spent on moderate-intensity PA of pregnant women.

A recent study in Qatar reported that a majority of pregnant women (82%) were physically active; that is, they performed moderate PA more than twice a week for more than 20 min (15). As well, another study in Qatar evaluated the effect of an online pedometer program on PA participation among adults (16). The authors reported that such a program was effective in promoting PA, especially among women.

Overall, the internet has been shown to be a commonly used source of health information among pregnant women in Qatar (17). However, there is a lack of information about how pregnant women use the internet for information related to PA and healthy diets, and how this information could have an impact on their lifestyle. Therefore, we conducted this study with the following aims: (i) to explore how pregnant women in Qatar use the internet for information related to PA and healthy diets and their associated factors, and (ii) and to evaluate the impact of this information on women’s lifestyle habits.

Methods

Study design and setting

This study employed an analytical cross-sectional design and was conducted in public antenatal clinics within primary healthcare (PHC) centers in Qatar. At the time of the study, there were 20 public antenatal clinics available within PHC centers. These clinics were strategically distributed geographically to ensure comprehensive coverage for the diverse population with varying ethnic, cultural, social, and educational backgrounds. Additionally, these clinics served as the initial point of contact for patients seeking healthcare services within Qatar’s formal healthcare system (18). To achieve a representative sample, a random selection process was implemented, resulting in the inclusion of six antenatal clinics in the study. Data collection was carried out during the second half of 2019.

Study population and sampling

The study population comprised expectant women, aged 18 years or older, in any trimester of pregnancy, who spoke English or Arabic, and presented at the antenatal clinic at one of the selected health centers during the study period. Participants were recruited through systematic random sampling, using the daily appointment list of the antenatal clinics until the required sample size of 324 individuals was reached.

Sample size

The sample size was determined based on a 95% confidence level, 5% precision, and an estimated proportion of expectant women (70 ± 5%) accessing health-related information online. Using the formula for estimating sample size for proportions, a required sample size of approximately 324 participants was calculated.

Data collection

Data were collected using an anonymized, self-administered questionnaire. Trained research assistants, who were registered nurses and midwives, were stationed at the chosen PHC centers to recruit and interview potential participants. They approached potential participants in the waiting areas of the antenatal clinics, provided information about the study, and invited them to participate voluntarily. Participants were assured that declining or withdrawing from the study would not affect the quality of care they received. Those who agreed to participate were signed a standardized informed consent form and were given the questionnaire to complete in either English or Arabic, according to their preference.

Questionnaire

The questionnaire used in this study was developed by the researchers after conducting an extensive literature review. Experts in the field were consulted to evaluate the questionnaire’s clarity, relevance, and comprehensiveness. Additionally, face and content validity were assessed through a thorough expert review. Furthermore, test–retest reliability was evaluated, resulting in a coefficient of 0.9, which indicates a high level of reliability.

The questionnaire consisted of three sections. The first section included questions about socio-demographic characteristics such as age, education level, and occupation. The second section comprised questions about current pregnancy, including parity, gestational age, baby’s gender, and any health issues during the pregnancy. The third section contained questions about the frequency of internet use for PA and diet information, as well as changes in these behaviors resulting from online information. We defined PA as engaging in low-impact, moderate-intensity PA, such as walking, stationary cycling, prenatal yoga, and swimming, while excluding household duties. The questionnaire was translated and back-translated between English and Arabic by two independent translators proficient in both languages. It was piloted among 15 pregnant women to assess question clarity, interpretation, and completion time, and no modifications were required after the pilot phase. The pilot data were not included in the data analysis.

Statistical analysis

Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 (IBM Corp). Descriptive statistics were calculated for continuous and categorical variables where applicable. Pearson’s χ²-test and Fisher’s exact test were used to assess the association between the outcomes and the independent variables. The level of statistical significance was set at 0.05.

Results

Participant characteristics

Three hundred twenty-seven women completed and returned the survey questionnaire (response rate: 87.5%). Table 1 shows the background characteristics of the study participants. Their mean age was in the late twenties and a majority of the participants were multigravida and a little over half were in their second trimester. Most of the participants reported facing various pregnancy-related health issues including heartburn, morning sickness, low back pain, gestational diabetes, vomiting, anemia, urinary tract infection, and hypertension.

TABLE 1

Table 1. Background characteristics of the study participants (N = 327).

Use of internet for physical activity and diet information

As shown in Table 2, a significant portion of participants reported using the internet to access information related to PA during their current pregnancy, ranging from “somewhat” to “a great deal.” A notable percentage stated that they increased their physical activity due to the internet-sourced information, while a smaller fraction decreased their physical activity. Almost half reported they did not change their PA during their pregnancy.

Regarding dietary information obtained from the internet during pregnancy, a substantial proportion of participants reported using online resources for this purpose. A majority increased their consumption of fruits and vegetables, reduced their intake of sugary foods, and decreased their consumption of fatty foods based on internet advice. Only a small percentage did not make any dietary changes during pregnancy (Table 2).

TABLE 2

Table 2. Internet use for physical activity and diet-related information among study participants (N = 327).

Factors associated with internet use for physical activity and diet information

In bivariate analysis, a statistically significant relationship was found between certain participants’ characteristics and the extent of internet use for PA and diet-related information (Table 3). For instance, women who were between the ages of 26 and 35, who were working, and who were primigravidae were significantly more likely to use the internet for PA information during pregnancy. Additionally, women who had tertiary education (p = 0.005), who were working (p = 0.004), and who were primigravidae (p = 0.009) were more likely to use the internet for diet-related information during pregnancy (Table 3).

TABLE 3

Table 3. The relationship between participants’ characteristics and the use of internet for physical activity and diet-related information (N = 322).

Changes in diet and physical activity as a result of online information

As shown in Table 4, the extent of internet use for PA-related information showed a significant positive association with women’s participation in PA. For instance, women who reported using the internet for PA information a great deal were more likely to increase their PA compared to women who used it somewhat, or very little (57.6, 26.8, and 5.0%, p < 0.001; respectively).

TABLE 4

Table 4. Relationship between the extent of internet use for PA information and the resulting change in PA (n = 251).^a

As shown in Table 5, the extent of internet use for diet-related information showed a significant positive association with women’s healthy eating behaviors. For instance, women who reported using the internet for diet information a great deal were more likely to increase their fruit and vegetable consumption during pregnancy compared to those who used it somewhat, or very little (84.2, 68.5, and 63.6%, p = 0.038; respectively). Also, women who used the internet for diet information a great deal were more likely to decrease the amount of sugary and fatty food they ate compared to those who used the internet somewhat or very little (61.4, 45.2, and 18.2%, p < 0.001; respectively) and (50.9, 30.4, and 18.2%, p = 0.001; respectively).

TABLE 5

Table 5. Relationship between the extent of internet use for diet information and the resulting change in diet (n = 251).^a

Discussion

This study investigated how pregnant women attending public antenatal clinics in Qatar utilize the internet to obtain information about PA and healthy diets and assessed the impact of this information on their lifestyle habits. The findings of this study indicate that the internet is being used to promote PA and healthy diets among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Qatar. Antenatal care facilities can play a crucial role in providing access to reliable, evidence-based lifestyle-related information (19). Around 54% of the participants in this study utilized the internet (somewhat to a great deal) for PA information, and of those, 20% reported an increase in their PA due to online information. These results align with a similar study conducted in the United States by Huberty et al. (20), which reported that approximately 44% of pregnant women used the internet for PA information to some extent, with 26% of them reporting an increase in PA as a result of this information.

In addition to PA information, our study found that a significant number of participants (72%) sought diet-related information online, leading to positive dietary changes such as increased fruit and vegetable consumption and reduced intake of sugary and fatty foods. These findings were consistent with a study in the United States (20), supporting the notion that online diet information can influence dietary behaviors in pregnant women. Current evidence suggests that online and mobile apps lifestyle-related interventions can positively impact the lifestyle of pregnant women (12, 14, 21–24). For instance, a 12-week study by Choi et al. (25) involving physically inactive pregnant women found that a mobile phone activity diary with self-monitoring led to an increase in PA compared to the control group. The authors concluded that motivated pregnant women may find online sources useful for assessing and promoting PA (25).

However, it should be noted that not all online sources led to lifestyle changes. In our study, almost half (52.4%) of the participants reported that they did not change their PA during their pregnancy as a result of online information. This finding aligns with the study by Huberty et al. (20) and the study Bagherzadeh et al. (21) which highlighted that motivation and trust in online information might be essential factors. Hence, healthcare professionals should emphasize the importance of PA and healthy eating and support pregnant women in their efforts to modify their lifestyles.

Regarding the factors associated with participants’ adoption of PA, age was identified as a factor influencing the use of the internet for PA information, with those between the ages of 26 and 35 being more likely to use the internet for such information. Other studies have shown inconsistent findings, possibly due to cultural differences in the countries where the studies were conducted (26–28). Our study also revealed that working (as a measure of income), level of education, and primigravidae were associated with seeking information about PA and diet. While some studies reported associations between exercise during pregnancy and income (29), the influence of education on internet use was inconsistent (26, 30). Moreover, our finding of an association between primigravidae and accessing online information to be more active was supported by Gaston and Cramp’s study (29).

Our study found that the extent of internet use for PA and dietary information was associated with more positive lifestyle changes. For example, women who reported using the internet for PA information to a great deal were significantly more likely to increase their PA compared to those who used it less often. Similarly, participants who reported using the internet for dietary information to a great deal were significantly more likely to increase their fruit and vegetable consumption while decreasing the intake of sugary and fatty foods compared to women who used the internet less frequently. These findings, although cross-sectional, provide valuable insights suggesting that the internet could be a valuable tool not only for increasing knowledge about PA and healthy diets but also for promoting these behaviors in pregnant women.

A qualitative study by Bagherzadeh et al. (21) demonstrated that accessing online information, combined with support from physicians, motivated pregnant women to adopt healthy lifestyles. Conversely, a recent qualitative study in Australia revealed that pregnant women perceived gaps in lifestyle-related knowledge provided by health professionals. Additionally, health professionals expressed difficulties in discussing sensitive topics, such as weight, with pregnant women and demonstrated limited familiarity with pregnancy-specific physical activity guidelines (31).

To sum up, the literature has provided rich information about the critical role of online information in pregnant women’s adoption of healthy lifestyles, including increasing PA and consuming healthy foods. However, there are reported variances in the factors associated with lifestyle changes, which could be attributed to differences in sampling methods, the validity and reliability of data collection tools, and cultural variations among the countries where the studies were conducted. Despite these variations, all studies consistently point to the increasing tendency of pregnant women to access online information with varying consequences.

Strengths and limitations

This study boasts several strengths. Firstly, it was the pioneering research of its kind in Qatar and the region, examining pregnant women’s usage of the internet for PA and healthy diet information. It also evaluated associated factors and the impact of this information on women’s lifestyle habits. Moreover, the study achieved a commendable high response rate of 87.5%. Furthermore, the risk of sampling bias was minimized due to our use of a probability sampling technique when recruiting study participants. Finally, we believe our sample adequately represents pregnant women in Qatar, given the distribution of characteristics among the populations served by the six PHC centers.

However, we acknowledge several limitations as well. Firstly, our results may not be generalizable to all expectant women seeking antenatal services in Qatar’s private health sector, as our study focused on a sample attending publicly funded antenatal services. Future studies should compare internet use between these two populations to assess if they serve different groups of expectant women. Another limitation of this study is the absence of an assessment of participants’ daily physical activity (PA) levels. This gap underscores a potential avenue for exploration in future research. Lastly, our study recognizes potential response biases in self-reported data, including social desirability bias, recall bias, and cultural influences. While we implemented measures to minimize these biases, such as ensuring respondent anonymity and using clear language, some level of response bias may persist in the data.

Implications for practice and research

The utilization of the internet to promote PA and healthy diets for pregnant women is gaining momentum. While challenges exist in using online platforms for educational purposes, they offer valuable opportunities to improve the health and well-being of pregnant women. Targeted interventions and reliable online resources tailored to their specific needs are essential. Positive associations between internet use frequency and behavior change, such as increased PA and improved dietary habits, demonstrate the potential of online platforms as effective tools for promoting healthy behaviors during pregnancy. Understanding participant characteristics helps tailor interventions for specific demographics, while further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of online interventions. Providing accurate, evidence-based resources and promoting health literacy will empower pregnant women to make informed decisions about their health and ensure healthier pregnancies overall.

Conclusion

Our study reveals that a significant number of pregnant women use the internet to access information about PA and diet, and greater use is associated with more positive lifestyle changes. Women aged between 26 and 35, with tertiary education, employed, and primigravidae, were particularly inclined to use the internet for PA and diet-related information during pregnancy. Future research should focus on conducting longitudinal studies to assess the long-term impact of internet use on PA, dietary behaviors, and maternal and fetal outcomes, providing valuable insights into the sustainability and effectiveness of online interventions during pregnancy. Ultimately, recognizing the internet’s significance empowers pregnant women with accessible resources to make informed decisions and improve overall maternal and fetal well-being.

Data availability statement

The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article/Supplementary material, further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.

Ethics statement

The studies involving humans were approved by The ethical committee of the Primary Health Care Corporation. The studies were conducted in accordance with the local legislation and institutional requirements. The participants provided their written informed consent to participate in this study.

Author contributions

AA-D: Conceptualization, Formal analysis, Methodology, Project administration, Writing – original draft. VK: Writing – review & editing. NA-K: Methodology, Writing – review & editing. NS: Supervision, Writing – review & editing.

Funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. Open Access funding is provided by Qatar National Library. This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the nurses and midwives who assisted in the data collection process. Also, we wish to thank our respondents for their valuable participation in this study.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Publisher’s note

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

Supplementary material

The Supplementary material for this article can be found online at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1272109/full#supplementary-material

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