Exploring Barriers to Healthy Eating among Women in Their Role As New Mothers with a Theory-Driven Questionnaire

This study aims to propose and evaluate a theory-driven questionnaire addressing barriers to healthy eating among mothers of young children. Statements drawing upon the Social Cognitive Theory were developed/gathered based on literature review and previous qualitative research. Part I (43 items) included general barriers, attitudes to nutrition advice and outcome expectations. Part II (9 items) included subjective knowledge and general self-efficacy scales. An online survey was undertaken with 267 Danish women. The validation process included content and face validity, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and reliability analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) tested possible associations between the constructs and potential health outcomes (BMI and healthiness of eating habits). The EFA supported an adequate factorial validity with a 5-factor, 37-item structure model for Part I, and a high internal reliability of Parts I and II (Cronbach’s alpha > 0.7). The CFA revealed an association between certain constructs and perceived healthiness of eating and BMI. Results support the reliability and factorial validity of the social cognitive measures assessing barriers to healthy eating among mothers. These promising findings of reliability and initial validity suggest that researchers and practitioners interested in identifying women who face difficulties in the family food environment may find the scales useful. We propose a short version of the questionnaire for health practitioners. What is already known on this subject? Women have reported a lack of attention to their needs by health practitioners during the transition to parenthood. Health professionals explain that there is a certain negligence of parental dietary health in antenatal and postnatal care due to a lack of time and resources for nutrition counseling. What does this study add? We provide a potentially reliable theory-based tool for assessing constraints to healthy eating among mothers of young children. The study answers a call for evidence-based instruments to support that the work of midwives and other practitioners involved in new mothers’ and their families’ care is time-optimized.