Healthy Weight Action Learning Collaborative: Boston's approach to using a lifecourse perspective to hear the "Voices"of Black and Latina residents to improve perinatal healthy weight

A 2005 report from the Mayor's Task Force on Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health Care indicates that Black and Latina Boston residents have higher average weights than Whites which correlates to chronic diseases and poor birth outcomes. Blacks are 66% overweight or obese compared with 54% Latina and 49% of Whites. Blacks and Latinas are also less likely to be physically active than other city residents. Research indicates maternal obesity is linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes, including infertility, fetal/infant death, low birth weight and prematurity, birth defects, gestational diabetes, poor maternal mental health, decreased breastfeeding and childhood obesity. Effectively addressing perinatal obesity requires using multi-strategy life course approaches. To address this issue the Boston Public Health Commission and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health participated in a Healthy Weight Action Learning Collaborative (HWALC) funded by Maternal and Child Health Bureau, The Centers for Disease Control Prevention's Division of Reproductive Health, and City MatCh to develop strategies for addressing perinatal healthy weight. Boston's HWALC looked at the perspective “Information before Intervention”, by conducting provider interviews and focus groups with Black and Latina women, ages 18-45. Women were asked about feelings, values and experiences that shaped their perception of healthy eating and physical activity at different points in their lives. The results are being shared with the other HWALC teams and with local providers to inform their healthy weight interventions. The recommendations will shape local and state policy recommendations for framing perinatal healthy weight.