Healthcare professionals' perception on weight management during postpartum: A systematic review of qualitative evidence.

BACKGROUND

Healthcare professionals' support has been identified as an important factor for postpartum weight management, but barriers and facilitators exist among healthcare professionals supporting postpartum women to achieve healthy weight.

AIM: To explore healthcare professionals' perceptions of barriers and facilitators of postpartum weight management.

METHODS

A systematic review and thematic synthesis of peer-reviewed qualitative studies was conducted. CINAHL, PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, SCOPUS, and Web of Science databases were systematically searched from inception to 29th June 2025 to identify eligible published studies. The search was limited to peer-reviewed articles, with a focus on healthcare professionals' views regarding postpartum weight management. Data were extracted and thematically analysed, and identified themes were subsequently mapped onto the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, and Behaviour (COMB) model.

RESULTS

Four studies met the selection criteria. Within the capability domain, identified factors included limited awareness of postpartum weight management guidelines and deficits in postpartum weight management competencies. Within the opportunity domain, identified factors encompassed time constraints and competing clinical priorities, partner support, and the routine postnatal check opportunities. Within the motivation domain, identified factors included personal engagement in healthy lifestyle behaviours, professional role identity, regular follow-up and positive reinforcement, the sensitive nature of weight management discussions, and misconceptions regarding postpartum weight.

CONCLUSION

The identified barriers and facilitators suggest that effective postpartum weight management interventions should be designed to address healthcare professionals' capability, opportunity, and motivation. The heterogeneity of study locations supports the potential transferability of these findings across diverse healthcare contexts.