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. 2024 Nov 16;24(1):760.
doi: 10.1186/s12884-024-06945-7.

Development of a habit-based intervention to support healthy eating and physical activity behaviours for pregnant women with overweight or obesity: Healthy Habits in Pregnancy and Beyond (HHIPBe)

Julia McClelland  1 , Dunla Gallagher  1 , Sarah E Moore  1 , Caroline McGirr  1 , Rebecca J Beeken  2 , Helen Croker  3 , Kelly-Ann Eastwood  1   4 , Roisin F O'Neill  1 , Jayne V Woodside  1 , Laura McGowan #  5 , Michelle C McKinley #  1
Affiliations

Development of a habit-based intervention to support healthy eating and physical activity behaviours for pregnant women with overweight or obesity: Healthy Habits in Pregnancy and Beyond (HHIPBe)

Julia McClelland et al. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. .

Abstract

Background: The number of women entering pregnancy with overweight or obesity is increasing. This can increase the risk for excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) which is associated with health complications for mother and baby. There are limited evidence-based interventions within antenatal care settings to encourage healthy eating and physical activity behaviours and support women with managing GWG.

Methods: A previous habit-based intervention 'Ten Top Tips for a Healthy Weight' (10TT) was adapted and made suitable for pregnancy in line with the Medical Research Council's (MRC) complex intervention development guidelines. It involved three key activities: (1) identifying the evidence base; (2) identifying appropriate theory; and, (3) modelling processes. A core element was integrating lived experience via personal and public involvement (PPI).

Results: The original 10TTs were adapted with PPI in line with current advice on nutrition and physical activity in pregnancy. New intervention materials were devised, including a leaflet and a logbook and app for self-monitoring to be delivered alongside a brief 1:1 conversation. Behaviour change techniques (BCTs) included in the new materials were coded using a number of behavioural taxonomies. An E-learning resource was created to help standardise the approach to delivery of the intervention and avoid stigmatising conversations.

Conclusion: Following MRC guidance for the development of complex interventions alongside significant PPI allowed for the adaption of 10TT habit-based weight management intervention into the 'Healthy Habits in Pregnancy and Beyond' (HHIPBe) intervention. The feasibility and acceptability of implementing this intervention in the antenatal setting will be explored in a feasibility randomised controlled trial.

Trial registration: This study was registered on Clinical Trials as 'Healthy Habits in Pregnancy and Beyond (HHIPBe)' ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04336878. The study was registered on 07/04/2020.

Keywords: Activity; Behaviour; Behavioural intervention; Diet; Gestational weight gain; Health; Intervention development; Obesity; Overweight; Personal and public involvement (PPI); Pregnancy.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations Ethics approval and consent to participate Ethical approval and informed consent were not required for the intervention development phase of the study as it involved PPI contributors; it did not include human research participants. Consent for publication Not applicable as the intervention development phase of this study did not include human research participants. Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Summary of the development of the adapted HHIPBe participant leaflet
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Example page from the adapted HHIPBe participant leaflet
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Example notes and planning sheet from the HHIPBe participant logbook
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Example tick sheet from the HHIPBe participant logbook
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
HHIPBe Logic Model
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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