How Children Influence Weight-Related Behaviors of Women With Low Incomes: A Qualitative Study

Despite women with low incomes’ (WLIs) shared exposure to socioenvironmental risk factors for poor eating and physical activity (PA) behaviors, mothers are more likely than non-mothers to experience obesity. This qualitative study explored the experiences of 14 WLI, with and without children in the home, with engaging in weight-related behaviors. Four common themes were identified—elasticity of food budget, motivation, access to information, and access to PA opportunities; each had subthemes unique to mothers. There was an additional theme exclusive to mothers—time constraints. Results highlight how weight-related health behaviors of WLI are strongly related to the presence of children in the home and relationship status of the mother. The need to consider household composition when developing obesity-related interventions is essential to supporting WLI.