Developing a Prenatal Nutrition Tool: A Process of Evidence, Collaboration, and Consultation

Publication: Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
11 January 2022

Abstract

The Prenatal Nutrition Tool was created for care providers that work with pregnant clients and aims to support focused conversations on nutrition topics that influence maternal and infant health outcomes. A systematic 9-step product development process that combined findings from the literature with perspectives of nutrition experts and care providers was used to develop the tool. The results of a literature review and a modified Delphi Process (to obtain expert opinion) laid the foundation for the tool content. The final tool incorporated client feedback. More specifically, client feedback helped to refine tool questions. The tool consists of 2 parts: a questionnaire (written survey) and a conversation guide. The questionnaire covers 4 key themes (pregnancy weight gain, multivitamins, life circumstances, overall food intake) in 13 questions. The conversation guide utilizes public health nutrition guidance documents to lead care providers in focused discussions with clients. The tool is not intended to be a screening tool for medical conditions or replace an in-depth prenatal nutrition assessment. The tool can be accessed by any care provider in Canada on the Alberta Health Services website at Prenatal Nutrition Tool | Alberta Health Services.

Résumé

L’outil de nutrition prénatale a été créé pour les fournisseurs de soins qui travaillent avec des clientes enceintes. Il vise à favoriser des conversations ciblées sur des sujets liés à la nutrition qui ont une influence sur la santé de la mère et du nourrisson. Un processus systématique de développement de produits en 9 étapes, qui combinait des conclusions de la littérature aux perspectives d’experts en nutrition et de fournisseurs de soins, a été utilisé pour mettre l’outil au point. Les résultats d’une revue de littérature et d’un processus Delphi modifié (pour obtenir l’opinion d’experts) ont formé le fondement du contenu de l’outil. L’outil final intègre la rétroaction de la clientèle. En fait, les commentaires de la clientèle ont permis de préciser les questions de l’outil. L’outil comporte 2 parties : un questionnaire (sondage écrit) et un guide de conversation. Le questionnaire couvre 4 thèmes (prise de poids pendant la grossesse, multivitamines, circonstances de la vie, apport alimentaire global) en 13 questions. Le guide de conversation se sert de documents d’orientation relatifs à la nutrition en santé publique pour amener les fournisseurs de soins à avoir des discussions ciblées avec la clientèle. Cet outil n’est pas conçu pour dépister des troubles médicaux ni pour remplacer une évaluation nutritionnelle prénatale approfondie. Tout fournisseur de soins au Canada peut y accéder dans le site Web d’Alberta Health Services au de Prenatal Nutrition Tool | Alberta Health Services.

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Financial support: This work was made possible through the support of Nutrition Services, Alberta Health Services. No external funding was received.
Conflict of interest: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Supplementary Material

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Information & Authors

Information

Published In

cover image Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
Volume 83Number 1March 2022
Pages: 41 - 45
Editor: Naomi Cahill

History

Version of record online: 11 January 2022

Key Words

  1. pregnancy
  2. healthy eating during pregnancy
  3. maternal diet
  4. nutrition assessment
  5. diet assessment

Mots-clés

  1. Grossesse
  2. saine alimentation durant la grossesse
  3. alimentation de la mère
  4. évaluation nutritionnelle
  5. évaluation de l’alimentation

Authors

Affiliations

Anne Cross MPH, RD
Alberta Health Services, 10101 Southport Rd. SW, Calgary, AB
Suzanne Galesloot MSA, RD
Alberta Health Services, 10101 Southport Rd. SW, Calgary, AB
Sheila Tyminski MEd, RD
Alberta Health Services, 10101 Southport Rd. SW, Calgary, AB
Diane Hoy B.Sc., RD
Alberta Health Services, 10101 Southport Rd. SW, Calgary, AB

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