Development and Evaluation of a Theory-Based App for Managing Gestational Weight Gain for Overweight and Obese Pregnant Women: A Mixed-Method Pilot Study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ching-Fang Lee ◽  
Li-Kang Chi ◽  
Yvonne Hsiung ◽  
Jian-Pei Huang ◽  
Chun-Wei Chang
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Gestational Weight Gain ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Obese Women ◽  
Healthy Behavior ◽  
Gestational Weight ◽  
Methodological Guidelines

BACKGROUND Overweight and obese women’s excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) may be a health risk for both the mother and the fetus; excessive GWG leads to the retention of weight postpartum and thus obesity. Given the overwhelming number of existing pregnancy-related applications (apps), we lack only a few methodological guidelines for integrating theory, evidence and previously validated apps to help overweight and obese women manage their GWG during pregnancy. OBJECTIVE This two-phase study aimed to develop the MyHealthyWeight (MHW) app based on social-cognitive theory (SCT) and evaluate its effectiveness for overweight and obese women in helping prevent excessive GWG by enhancing adherence to optimal GWG goals and healthy behavior during pregnancy. METHODS First, we constructed and developed the MHW app based on SCT theory, and we later employed a mixed-method study to evaluate the effects of the app on overweight and obese pregnant women. RESULTS All participating overweight and obese pregnant women (100%) achieved their optimal GWG through increased self-efficacy and physical activity. Their total and moderate-intensity physical activity expenditures improved, while their sedentary and light-intensity levels of physical activity decreased. CONCLUSIONS This theory-based MHW app for weight management was greatly valued by the pregnant users. Its usefulness for health-care professionals in assisting overweight and obese pregnant women in preventing excessive GWG by promoting healthy behavior, in particular through physical exercise and a healthy diet, during pregnancy was also confirmed. CLINICALTRIAL NCT04553718

Greater energy demand of exercise during pregnancy does not impact mechanical efficiency

2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (5) ◽  
pp. 493-499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn M. Denize ◽  
Pegah Akbari ◽  
Danilo Fernandes da Silva ◽  
Francois Haman ◽  
Kristi B. Adamo
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Gestational Weight Gain ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Movement Pattern ◽  
Late Pregnancy ◽  
Mechanical Efficiency ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Gestational Weight

Pregnant women are recommended to engage in 150 min of moderate-intensity physical activity per week to reduce pregnancy complications. Many women struggle to remain physically active throughout pregnancy, and there is no consensus about whether women adopt a less efficient movement pattern as they progress through pregnancy and experience gestational weight gain. This study assessed the change in energy expenditure and mechanical efficiency in pregnant women (PREG; n = 10) when performing a walking treadmill task in early, mid, and late pregnancy and also compared with an age- and body mass index-matched, nonpregnant (CON; n = 10) group. On average, the PREG group gained within the Institute of Medicine’s gestational weight gain guidelines (11.6 ± 3.6 kg) and were all inactive (measured using accelerometry), except for 1 participant, by the third trimester, as per the 2019 Canadian physical activity guidelines for pregnant women. Energy expended to complete the walking task increased throughout pregnancy and was higher than the controls (111.5 ± 24.6 kcal) in mid and late pregnancy (139.0 ± 22.2 kcal, p = 0.02, and 147.3 ± 24.6 kcal, p = 0.005, respectively), but not early pregnancy (129.9 ± 18.9 kcal, p = 0.08). Walking mechanical efficiency was similar within pregnant women at each time point and compared to nonpregnant controls. Our findings add to the growing body of evidence demonstrating that pregnant women can safely perform physical activity by showing that walking mechanical efficiency is unchanged at low to moderate intensities. Novelty Energy demand during exercise increases proportionally to weight gain across pregnancy trimesters. However, mechanical efficiency remains unchanged during low- to moderate-intensity walking.

scholarly journals When and How Should Chinese Pregnant Women Exercise? A Longitudinal Study in China

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 180
Author(s):  
Mi Xiang ◽  
Masayuki Konishi ◽  
Huanhuan Hu ◽  
Mio Nishimaki ◽  
Hyeon-Ki Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Energy Intake ◽  
Gestational Weight Gain ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Third Trimester ◽  
Gestational Weight ◽  
The Third

This study aimed to examine when and how physical activity (PA) influences gestational weight gain (GWG) and infant birthweight (BW) by considering the PA’s total volume, timing, intensity, and type, controlling for the influence of energy intake. A total of 1272 participants in different stages of pregnancy were recruited from hospital. The associations between PA and GWG or BW in the latter half of pregnancy were significant. Women with the highest PA volume in the third trimester had significantly lower risks of inadequate and excessive GWG by 69% (OR = 0.31, 95%CI: 0.10–0.91) and 67% (OR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.12–0.91), respectively, compared to women in the lowest quartile. Women who achieved the recommended moderate intensity of PA during their second and third trimesters, independent of total volume of PA, had infants with significantly lower BWs compared to those who did not (β = −0.15, SE = 66.33, p = 0.04; β = −0.20, SE = 64.54, p = 0.01, respectively). Therefore, the effects of total volume and intensity of PA on GWG and BW were different. Interventions to prevent inappropriate GWG and macrosomia may need to set different priorities and timing regarding total volume or intensity of PA.

Impact of Physical Activity on Gestational Weight Gain in Overweight and Obese Pregnant women: a meta-analysis.

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vandana Rani ◽  
Sivachidambaram Kulandaivelan ◽  
Rekha Chaturvedi ◽  
Ravinder Yadav
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Gestational Weight Gain ◽  
Standard Care ◽  
Weight Control ◽  
Exercise Intervention ◽  
Moderate Intensity ◽  
Care Group ◽  
Gestational Weight

Background: Regular physical activity and exercises play an important role for a healthy pregnancy in overweight and obese women. Objective: To investigate the effect of exercise parameters (frequency, duration and intensity) and physical activity (PA) on maternal gestational weight gain (GWG) in overweight and obese pregnant women. Methods: PubMed and Cochrane database were used to locate the literature, randomized controlled trials comparing PA with standard care on combined overweight and obese pregnant women, published in English language from January 2011 to March 2020 were selected. PA interventions, including walking, aerobic and resistance exercise either alone or in combination compared with standard care during pregnancy in overweight and obese pregnant women were screened. Mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) between the intervention and standard care for GWG was calculated. Results: Twelve studies with 1667 pregnant women were included. The result showed statistically significant reduction of GWG in the PA group as compared to the standard care (MD 0.99 kg, p<0.00001 & I2=25%). Overweight and obese pregnant women who performed exercises for the duration of 45-60 minutes/session (MD -1.01 kg, P=0.0008 and I2=61%), a frequency of 3 times/week (MD -1.19 kg, P=0.0002 and I2=58%) and light to moderate intensity (MD -1.37 kg, P<0.0001 & I2=62 %), reported good weight control during pregnancy as compared with standard care group. Conclusion: There was a statistically significant reduction in GWG in overweight and obese pregnant women. Owing to the promising results shown by exercise intervention and PA in maternal weight control, these interventions should be used as a tool for managing weight gain during pregnancy as a routine care.

scholarly journals Optimization of women’s physical activity during pregnancy to prevent excessive gestational weight gain

2020 ◽  
pp. 56-60
Author(s):  
S.O. Ostafiichuk ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Gestational Weight Gain ◽  
Inverse Correlation ◽  
Normal Weight ◽  
Main Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Obese Women ◽  
Gestational Weight

The objective: to study the effect of physical activity (PA) during pregnancy on the level of gestational weight gain (GWG) in women with different prepregnancy weight. Materials and methods. 219 pregnant women were enrolled. Anthropometry and calculation of body mass index (BMI) were carried out. GWG was evaluated by the difference between the weight before delivery and prepregnancy. The control group consisted of 117 women who were under routine antenatal supervision. The main group – 102 pregnant women, who were enrolled to the program of PA. The level of intensity of PA was estimated on the «International Physical Activity Questionnaire». The results were statistically analyzed using using Microsoft Excel-based statistical analysis package and Statistica 6.0 program pack (StatSoft Inc.,USA). Results. It was proved that only moderate (r = – 0.68; p<0.001) and intensive (r = – 0.68; p<0.001) levels of PA have an inverse correlation with GWG, while low (r = 0.64; p<0.001) and sedentary (r = 0.79; p<0.001) activities contribute to weight gain. In the main group the moderate level of PA (82,2±9,8 MET-h/week) has increase in compared with the control group (54,5±10,0 MET-h/week) (p<0.05). A level of GWG (1.3±1.3) kg was lower in the main group 11.1±1.2 kg versus 14.5±1.2 kg in the control (p<0.05). In the main group, the number of pregnant women with the recommended GWG (64.7±4.7%) exceeded 2.9 times (p<0.001) with excessive and 4.7 times (p<0.001) with insufficient weight gain. Implementation of the PA program significantly reduced the risk of excessive GWG at normal weight (OR 0.42; 95% Cl: 0.20–0.86; p<0.05), overweight (OR 0.06; 95% Cl: 0.01–0.16; p<0.05) and obese women (OR 0.11; 95% Cl: 0.02–0.68; p<0.05). The proposed PA did not significantly decrease the risk of insufficient GWG in women with low prepregnancy BMI. Conclusions. It has been proven that moderate PA increases the chances recommended GWG (4.48; 95% Cl: 2.53–7.91; p<0.001), while low PA is insufficient to prevent excessive weight gain (OR 2.01; 95% Cl: 1.07–3.92; p<0.05). Due to small percentage of pregnant women with an intensive level of PA in the present study, no statistically significant effect of this level on GWG was found (p=0.85). Key words: pregnancy, gestational weight gain, physical activity.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Physical Activity Interventions on Pregnancy-Related Outcomes among Pregnant Women: A Systematic Review

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. 1840 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen W. H. Chan ◽  
Elce Au Yeung ◽  
Bernard M. H. Law
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Gestational Weight Gain ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Gestational Weight ◽  
Physical Activity Interventions ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Physical And Psychological Health

Regular physical activity has been demonstrated to contribute to physical and psychological health. Nevertheless, pregnant women generally exhibit low levels of physical activity. Implementation of interventions that enhance the self-efficacy of pregnant women on increasing physical activity is required. This paper provides an in-depth review of studies reporting the effect of various physical activity interventions dedicated for pregnant women on pregnancy-related issues, including gestational weight gain, pain and depression, physical activity level, and quality of life among these individuals. Five databases were used in searching the literature. Findings of the included studies were presented narratively, and appraisal of their methodological quality was conducted using the quality assessment tool developed by Effective Public Health Practice Project. Review findings demonstrated that physical activity interventions are effective in enhancing physical activity levels of pregnant women. Further, they are potentially useful in alleviating pregnancy-related pain and psychological symptoms, reducing gestational weight gain, and increasing self-efficacy in enhancing physical activity levels among these individuals. Nevertheless, inconsistencies in findings between studies hamper the drawing of firm conclusions on these latter outcomes. Overall, studies demonstrated a positive effect of physical activity interventions on the well-being and physical and psychological health of pregnant women.

scholarly journals Diet, Physical Activity and Gestational Weight Gain Patterns among Pregnant Women Living with Obesity in the North East of England: The GLOWING Pilot Trial

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1981
Author(s):  
Nicola Heslehurst ◽  
Angela C. Flynn ◽  
Lem Ngongalah ◽  
Catherine McParlin ◽  
Kathryn V. Dalrymple ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Gestational Weight Gain ◽  
Pilot Trial ◽  
Institute Of Medicine ◽  
Obesity Class ◽  
Gestational Weight ◽  
North East ◽  
Class 1

Maternal diet, physical activity (PA) behaviours, and gestational weight gain (GWG) are important for optimum health of women and their babies. This secondary analysis of the GLOWING pilot cluster trial explored these among women living with obesity in high deprivation. Pregnant women completed food frequency, PA and psychosocial questionnaires. Weights were retrieved from medical records and measured during routine appointments with midwives. Descriptive and regression analyses were stratified by obesity class. A total of 163 women were recruited; 54.0% had class 1 obesity, 25.8% class 2, 20.2% class 3, and 76.1% lived in the two most deprived quintiles. Women had suboptimal dietary intake, particularly for oily fish, fruit and vegetables. PA was predominantly light intensity, from household, care and occupational activities. Most women gained weight outside of Institute of Medicine (IOM) guideline recommendations (87.8%); women in class 3 obesity were most likely to have inadequate GWG below IOM recommendations (58.3%, p < 0.01) and reduced odds of excessive GWG compared with class 1 (AOR 0.13, 95% 0.04–0.45). Deprived women with obesity have a double inequality as both increase pregnancy risks. This population requires support to meet guideline recommendations for diet, PA and GWG. Further research exploring obesity classes would inform policies and care to achieve the best pregnancy outcomes.

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