Home
Issues
Aim & Scope
Open Access
Editorial Board
Indexing
Supporting Midwifery Associations
Contact us
Manuscript Types
Manuscript Formatting
How to submit
Special publications and Reprints
Authorship & COI
Principles of Transparency Checklist
Publication Ethics and Publication Malpractice Statement
CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Using the COM-B model to support dietary behaviour change and improve glucose management during pregnancy and the postnatal period in women with gestational diabetes
1
University of West Attica, Midwifery, Athens, Greece
2
Agency for Quality Assurance in Health, Quality Assurance- Athens, Athens, Greece
Eur J Midwifery 2026;10(Supplement 1):A43
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
To introduce the COM-B model of behaviour change theory and explore how it can be adapted during pregnancy and the postnatal period to support sustainable dietary changes that enhance self-efficacy, improve glucose management, and prevent type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).
DISCUSSION:
This abstract draws on reflective insights from professional experience and current literature to explore how the COM-B model of behaviour change can be meaningfully adapted within midwifery practice. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), the most common complication in pregnancy, significantly increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) later in life. While clinical guidelines recommend lifestyle modification, sustained engagement with dietary changes remains challenging for many women. The COM-B model, centred on Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation as the core components influencing Behaviour, offers a valuable framework for understanding and addressing the complex factors that affect dietary behaviours. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach, this model encourages individualised, context and culturally sensitive care. These insights can be used to tailor dietary advice and enhance women’s confidence in managing their own health. Midwives are ideally placed to deliver such interventions, particularly during the postnatal period when long-term health planning becomes more relevant to women and their families. Adapting the COM-B model within midwifery does not require a major systemic overhaul but rather a shift toward embedding behavioural awareness into everyday practice. In doing so, midwives can play a critical role in empowering women to adopt realistic, sustainable dietary changes that improve glucose management.
EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
Preliminary findings from pilot studies indicate improved dietary behaviours and increased engagement with follow-up care when behaviour change principles are applied.
KEY MESSAGE:
Enabling women to change dietary behaviours during and after pregnancy reduces the risk of developing T2DM and fosters a culture of healthier eating within families and communities. Complications - GDM 1
To introduce the COM-B model of behaviour change theory and explore how it can be adapted during pregnancy and the postnatal period to support sustainable dietary changes that enhance self-efficacy, improve glucose management, and prevent type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).
DISCUSSION:
This abstract draws on reflective insights from professional experience and current literature to explore how the COM-B model of behaviour change can be meaningfully adapted within midwifery practice. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), the most common complication in pregnancy, significantly increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) later in life. While clinical guidelines recommend lifestyle modification, sustained engagement with dietary changes remains challenging for many women. The COM-B model, centred on Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation as the core components influencing Behaviour, offers a valuable framework for understanding and addressing the complex factors that affect dietary behaviours. Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach, this model encourages individualised, context and culturally sensitive care. These insights can be used to tailor dietary advice and enhance women’s confidence in managing their own health. Midwives are ideally placed to deliver such interventions, particularly during the postnatal period when long-term health planning becomes more relevant to women and their families. Adapting the COM-B model within midwifery does not require a major systemic overhaul but rather a shift toward embedding behavioural awareness into everyday practice. In doing so, midwives can play a critical role in empowering women to adopt realistic, sustainable dietary changes that improve glucose management.
EVIDENCE WHERE RELEVANT:
Preliminary findings from pilot studies indicate improved dietary behaviours and increased engagement with follow-up care when behaviour change principles are applied.
KEY MESSAGE:
Enabling women to change dietary behaviours during and after pregnancy reduces the risk of developing T2DM and fosters a culture of healthier eating within families and communities. Complications - GDM 1
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
