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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2016 Jan;24(1):30-6.
doi: 10.1002/oby.21240. Epub 2015 Nov 23.

Preventing excessive gestational weight gain among African American women: A randomized clinical trial

Sharon J Herring  1   2   3   4 , Jane F Cruice  2 , Gary G Bennett  5   6 , Marisa Z Rose  4 , Adam Davey  3 , Gary D Foster  2   7
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Preventing excessive gestational weight gain among African American women: A randomized clinical trial

Sharon J Herring et al. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2016 Jan.

Abstract

Objective: Evidence is lacking regarding effective weight control treatments in pregnancy for ethnic minority women with obesity. This study evaluated whether a technology-based behavioral intervention could decrease the proportion of African American women with overweight or obesity who exceeded Institute of Medicine (IOM) guidelines for gestational weight gain.

Methods: We conducted a two-arm pilot randomized clinical trial. Participants were 66 socioeconomically disadvantaged African American pregnant women (12.5 ± 3.7 weeks' gestation; 36% overweight, 64% obesity) recruited from two outpatient obstetric practices at Temple University between 2013 and 2014. We randomized participants to usual care (n = 33) or a behavioral intervention (n = 33) that promoted weight control in pregnancy. The intervention included: (1) empirically supported behavior change goals; (2) interactive self-monitoring text messages; (3) biweekly health coach calls; and (4) skills training and support through Facebook.

Results: The intervention reduced the proportion of women who exceeded IOM guidelines compared to usual care (37% vs. 66%, P = 0.033). Intervention participants gained less weight during pregnancy (8.7 vs. 12.3 kg, adjusted mean difference: -3.1 kg, 95% CI: -6.2 to -0.1). No group differences in neonatal or obstetric outcomes were found.

Conclusions: The intervention resulted in lower prevalence of excessive gestational weight gain.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosures: All other authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
CONSORT flow diagram
Figure 2
Figure 2
Intervention schedule, first 12 weeks of the program
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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