Antenatal lifestyle advice for women who are overweight or obese: LIMIT randomised trial

A telehealth lifestyle intervention to reduce excess gestational weight gain in pregnant women with overweight or obesity (GLOW): a randomised, parallel-group, controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Excess gestational weight gain (GWG) among women with overweight or obesity synergistically increases their already elevated risk of having gestational diabetes, a caesarean delivery, a large for gestational age infant, and post-partum weight retention, and increases their child's risk of obesity. We investigated whether a primarily telehealth lifestyle intervention reduced excess GWG among women with overweight or obesity.

METHODS

We did a randomised controlled trial in five antenatal clinics of Kaiser Permanente; Oakland, San Leandro, Walnut Creek, Fremont, and Santa Clara, CA, USA. Women at 8-15 weeks' gestation with singletons, pre-pregnancy BMI 25·0-40·0 kg/m², and aged 18 years or older were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive the telehealth lifestyle intervention or usual antenatal care. Randomisation was adaptively balanced for age, BMI, and race and ethnicity. Data collectors and investigators were masked to group assignments. The core lifestyle intervention consisted of two in-person and 11 telephone sessions on behavioural strategies to improve weight, diet, and physical activity, and stress management to help women meet a trial goal of gaining at the lower limit of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) guidelines range for total GWG: 7 kg for women with overweight and 5 kg for women with obesity. Usual antenatal care included an antenatal visit at 7-10 weeks' gestation, an additional seven antenatal visits, on average, and periodic health education newsletters, including the IOM GWG guidelines and information on healthy eating and physical activity in pregnancy. The primary outcome was weekly rate of GWG expressed as excess GWG, per Institute of Medicine guidelines and mean assessed in the intention-to-treat population. The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02130232.

FINDINGS

Between March 24, 2014, and Sept 26, 2017, 5329 women were assessed for eligibility and 200 were randomly assigned to the lifestyle intervention group and 198 to the usual care group. Analyses included 199 women in the lifestyle intervention group (one lost to follow-up) and 195 in the usual care group (three lost to follow-up). 96 (48%) women in the lifestyle intervention group and 134 (69%) women in the usual care group exceeded Institute of Medicine guidelines for rate of GWG per week (relative risk 0·70, 95% CI 0·59 to 0·83). Compared with usual care, women in the lifestyle intervention had reduced weekly rate of GWG (mean 0·26 kg per week [SD 0·15] vs 0·32 kg per week [0·13]; mean between-group difference -0·07 kg per week, 95% CI -0·09 to -0·04). No between-group differences in perinatal complications were observed.

INTERPRETATION

Our evidence-based programme showed that health-care delivery systems could further adapt to meet the needs of their clinical settings to prevent excess GWG and improve healthy behaviours and markers of insulin resistance among women with overweight or obesity by using telehealth lifestyle interventions.

FUNDING

US National Institutes of Health.

Estimating the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus based on the 2013 WHO criteria: a prediction model based on clinical and biochemical variables in early pregnancy

AIMS

We aimed to develop a prediction model based on clinical and biochemical variables for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) based on the 2013 World Health Organization (WHO) criteria.

METHODS

A total of 1843 women from a Belgian multi-centric prospective cohort study underwent universal screening for GDM. Using multivariable logistic regression analysis, a model to predict GDM was developed based on variables from early pregnancy. The performance of the model was assessed by receiver-operating characteristic (AUC) analysis. To account for over-optimism, an eightfold cross-validation was performed. The accuracy was compared with two validated models (van Leeuwen and Teede).

RESULTS

A history with a first degree relative with diabetes, a history of smoking before pregnancy, a history of GDM, Asian origin, age, height and BMI were independent predictors for GDM with an AUC of 0.72 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.69-0.76)]; after cross-validation, the AUC was 0.68 (95% CI 0.64-0.72). Adding biochemical variables, a history of a first degree relative with diabetes, a history of GDM, non-Caucasian origin, age, height, weight, fasting plasma glucose, triglycerides and HbA_1c were independent predictors for GDM, with an AUC of the model of 0.76 (95% CI 0.72-0.79); after cross-validation, the AUC was 0.72 (95% CI 0.66-0.78), compared to an AUC of 0.67 (95% CI 0.63-0.71) using the van Leeuwen model and an AUC of 0.66 (95% CI 0.62-0.70) using the Teede model.

CONCLUSIONS

A model based on easy to use variables in early pregnancy has a moderate accuracy to predict GDM based on the 2013 WHO criteria.

Intergenerational transmission of the effects of maternal exposure to childhood maltreatment on offspring obesity risk: A fetal programming perspective

Childhood obesity constitutes a major global public health challenge. A substantial body of evidence suggests that conditions and states experienced by the embryo/fetus in utero can result in structural and functional changes in cells, tissues, organ systems and homeostatic set points related to obesity. Furthermore, growing evidence suggests that maternal conditions and states experienced prior to conception, such as stress, obesity and metabolic dysfunction, may spill over into pregnancy and influence those key aspects of gestational biology that program offspring obesity risk. In this narrative review, we advance a novel hypothesis and life-span framework to propose that maternal exposure to childhood maltreatment may constitute an important and as-yet-underappreciated risk factor implicated in developmental programming of offspring obesity risk via the long-term psychological, biological and behavioral sequelae of childhood maltreatment exposure. In this context, our framework considers the key role of maternal-placental-fetal endocrine, immune and metabolic pathways and also other processes including epigenetics, oocyte mitochondrial biology, and the maternal and infant microbiomes. Finally, our paper discusses future research directions required to elucidate the nature and mechanisms of the intergenerational transmission of the effects of maternal childhood maltreatment on offspring obesity risk.

Comparison of health-promoting behaviours, eating behaviour patterns and perceived social support in normal-weight and overweight pregnant women: An unmatched case-control study

Aim

The interventions based on adopting a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy have conflicting results. This study aimed to compare health-promoting, dietary patterns and social support in normal and overweight pregnant women.

Design

An unmatched case-control design was used.

Methods

A total of 360 pregnant women were selected using multistage cluster sampling and divided into two groups of normal and overweight cases. Data were collected using demographic and obstetrics characteristics, health-promoting lifestyle, perceived social support and eating behaviour questionnaires.

Results

The evaluation of the health-promoting behaviours and dietary patterns demonstrated a significant difference between the mean of total scores and their subdomains including self-actualization, nutrition, consumption of healthy and low-fat foods, fast food and sweets, as well as emotional eating and accidental planning. There was no significant difference between the two groups about social support.

Effect of Lifestyle Interventions in Obese Pregnant Women on the Neurocognitive Development and Anthropometrics of Preschool Children

INTRODUCTION

Maternal obesity and excessive gestational weight gain are related to adverse outcomes in women and children. Lifestyle interventions during pregnancy showed positive effects on decreasing weight gain during pregnancy, but effects on offspring's health and wellbeing are unclear. We aimed to assess the effect of lifestyle intervention programmes on offspring mental health, temperament, eating habits and anthropometric and cardiovascular measures.

METHODS

Ninety-six offspring of pregnant women with a body mass index (BMI) ≥29 kg/m2 who were randomly assigned to 3 intervention groups during pregnancy (routine antenatal care, a brochure group or a prenatal session group) and 77 offspring of pregnant women with a normal BMI (between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m2) were used as an additional control group in this analysis. When the children were between 3 and 7 years old, anthropometric and cardiovascular measurements were conducted and various questionnaires about offspring mental health, temperament and eating habits were filled out.

RESULTS

Children of mothers who received a brochure-based lifestyle intervention programme showed significantly less surgency/extraversion compared to children of mothers who received routine antenatal care (contrast estimate = -0.36, SE = 0.15, p = 0.02, 95% CI [-6.66, -0.06]) and prenatal lifestyle intervention sessions (contrast estimate = -0.46, SE = 0.14, p < 0.01, 95% CI [-0.74, -0.18]) after adjusting for child's age, sex, offspring birth weight and mother's educational level. The lifestyle intervention could not be associated with any significant differences in offspring mental health, eating habits and anthropometric and cardiovascular characteristics. Children of mothers with a normal BMI showed less emotional problems (F(1, 156) = 5.42, p = 0.02) and internalizing (F(1, 156) = 3.04, p = 0.08) and externalizing problems (F(1, 156) = 6.10, p = 0.02) when compared to children of mothers in the obese group.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

The results suggest that a brochure-based lifestyle intervention programme can affect the offspring temperament. Future follow-up studies need to investigate how these temperament-related effects may influence obesity development later in life.

Impact of diabetes, obesity and hypertension on preterm birth: Population-based study

OBJECTIVE

To determine the impact of pre-pregnancy diabetes mellitus (D), obesity (O) and chronic hypertension (H) on preterm birth (PTB).

METHODS

Retrospective population-based cohort study in Ontario, Canada between 2012-2016. Women who had a singleton livebirth or stillbirth at > 20 weeks gestation were included in the cohort. Exposures of interest were D, O and H, individually, and in various combinations. The primary outcome was PTB at 241/7 to 366/7 weeks. PTB was further analyzed by spontaneous or provider-initiated, early (< 34 weeks) or late (34-37 weeks), and the co-presence of preeclampsia, large for gestational age (LGA), and small for gestational age (SGA). Multivariable Poisson regression models with robust error variance were used to generate relative risks (RR), further adjusted for maternal age and parity (aRR). Population attributable fractions (PAF) were calculated for each of the outcomes by exposure state.

RESULTS

506,483 women were eligible for analysis. 30,139 pregnancies (6.0%) were complicated by PTB < 37 weeks, of which 7375 (24.5%) had D or O or H. Relative to women without D or O or H, the aRR for PTB < 37 weeks was higher for D (3.51; 95% CI 3.26-3.78) and H (3.81; 95% CI 3.55-4.10) than O (1.14; 95% CI 1.10-1.17). The combined state of DH was associated with a significantly higher aRR of PTB < 37 weeks (6.34; 95% CI 5.14-7.80) and < 34 weeks (aRR 10.33, 95% CI 6.96-15.33) than D alone. The risk of provider initiated PTB was generally higher than that for spontaneous PTB. Pre-pregnancy hypertension was associated with the highest risk for PTB with preeclampsia (aRR 45.42, 95% CI 39.69-51.99) and PTB with SGA (aRR 9.78, 95% CI 7.81-12.26) while pre-pregnancy diabetes was associated with increased risk for PTB with LGA (aRR 28.85, 95% CI 24.65-33.76).

CONCLUSION

Combinations of DOH significantly magnify the risk of PTB, especially provider initiated PTB, and PTB with altered fetal growth or preeclampsia.

Effects of an antenatal dietary intervention in women with obesity or overweight on child outcomes at 3-5 years of age: LIMIT randomised trial follow-up

While the effects of an antenatal dietary intervention for women with obesity or overweight on pregnancy and newborn health have been extensively studied, the longer-term effects into childhood are unknown. We followed children born to women who participated in the LIMIT randomised trial, where pregnant women were randomised to an antenatal dietary and lifestyle intervention or standard antenatal care. Our aim was to assess the effect of the intervention, on child outcomes at 3-5 years of age on children whose mothers provided consent. We assessed 1418 (Lifestyle Advice n = 727; Standard Care n = 691) (66.9%) of the 2121 eligible children. There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of child BMI z-score >85th centile for children born to women in the Lifestyle Advice Group, compared with the Standard Care group (Lifestyle Advice 444 (41.73%) versus Standard Care 417 (39.51%); adjusted relative risk (aRR) 1.05; 95% confidence intervals 0.93-1.19; p = 0.42). There were no significant effects on measures of child growth, adiposity, neurodevelopment, or dietary intake. There is no evidence that an antenatal dietary intervention altered child growth and adiposity at age 3-5 years. This cohort of children remains at high risk of obesity, and warrants ongoing follow-up.

Hypertension and Reproduction

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Many aspects of reproduction have been associated with increased blood pressure and impaired glucose metabolism that reveals a subsequent increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this review is to assess reproductive life factors associated with an increased risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease, e.g., early life programming, sexual, and reproductive health in men and women.

RECENT FINDINGS

Impaired fetal growth, with low birth weight adjusted for gestational age, has been found associated with hypertension in adulthood. Erectile dysfunction, currently considered an early diagnostic marker of cardiovascular disease preceding the manifestation of coronary artery disease by several years, frequently coexisting with hypertension, could also be exacerbated by some antihypertensive drugs. Male hypogonadism or subfertility are associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Hypertensive disorders in pregnancy including preeclampsia represent a major cause of maternal, fetal and neonatal morbidity, and mortality. The risk of developing preeclampsia can be substantially reduced in women at its high or moderate risk with a low dose of acetylsalicylic acid initiated from 12 weeks of gestation. An increased risk of hypertension in women following invasive-assisted reproductive technologies has been newly observed. Blood pressure elevation has been noticed following contraceptive pill use, around the menopause and in postmenopausal age. Furthermore, drug treatment of hypertension has to be considered as a factor with a potential impact on reproduction (e.g., due to teratogenic drug effects). In summary, a deeper understanding of reproductive life effects on hypertension and metabolic abnormalities may improve prediction of future cardiovascular disease.

Development and Field Evaluation of the INTER-ACT App, a Pregnancy and Interpregnancy Coaching App to Reduce Maternal Overweight and Obesity: Mixed Methods Design

Background

The interpregnancy and pregnancy periods are important windows of opportunity to prevent excessive gestational weight retention. Despite an overwhelming number of existing health apps, validated apps to support a healthy lifestyle between and during pregnancies are lacking.

Objective

To describe the development and evaluation of the INTER-ACT app, which is part of an interpregnancy and pregnancy lifestyle coaching module, to prevent excessive weight gain in pregnancy and enhance optimal weight and a healthy lifestyle in the interpregnancy period.

Methods

A mixed methods design was used to identify the needs of health care providers and end users, according to 15 semistructured interviews, two focus groups, and two surveys. The user interface was evaluated in a pilot study (N=9).

Results

Health care providers indicated that a mobile app can enhance a healthy lifestyle in pregnant and postpartum women. Pregnant women preferred graphic displays in the app, weekly notifications, and support messages according to their own goals. Both mothers and health care providers reported increased awareness and valued the combination of the app with face-to-face coaching.

Conclusions

The INTER-ACT app was valued by its end users because it was offered in combination with face-to-face contact with a caregiver.

Maternal and Infant Health Outcomes Associated with Medical Nutrition Therapy by Registered Dietitian Nutritionists in Pregnant Women with Malnutrition: An Evidence Analysis Center Systematic Review

Malnutrition during the critical period of pregnancy has significant health outcomes for both the mother and her offspring. Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) by a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) may help mitigate negative health effects, although studies that support the role of the RDN have not been comprehensively evaluated. The objective was to explore the health effects of MNT by an RDN on maternal and infant outcomes in pregnant women with malnutrition. A systematic review of studies published between 2000 and 2014 that incorporated MNT by an RDN during pregnancy were retrieved from a PubMed search, using criteria established by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Evidence Analysis Process. Among 94 identified studies, five controlled trials met the inclusion criteria. The initial search was extended to include one study published between 2014 and 2019. Outcomes included maternal gestational weight gain, maternal markers of glycemic control, maternal complications such as hypertension, incidence of caesarean section, infant birth weight both in grams and in clinical categories, infant gestational age, and infant complications. There was good/strong evidence that MNT by an RDN decreased gestational weight gain, although there was no effect on maternal complications, caesarean section deliveries, and gestational age among women with mixed body mass index status or those who were overweight/obese. The evidence was deemed fair in support of an effect on glycemic control, infant birth weight, and infant complications. The heterogeneity in the results are due to the variation among populations studied, types of interventions, and inconsistency among outcomes. In addition, the training and educational requirements of the RDN or the international equivalent may vary widely across the four countries in which studies were conducted. There was good evidence for MNT by an RDN during pregnancy on improving gestational weight gain among overweight/obese women. To better support the role of MNT by an RDN in the health care of pregnant women, research that clearly identifies the role of the RDN in the intervention, includes a control group, and studies more heterogeneous populations is needed.

Neighborhood walkability and risk of gestational diabetes

OBJECTIVE

Higher neighborhood walkability has been associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) by promoting greater physical activity (thereby reducing weight and lowering insulin resistance). However, it is not known if walkability may similarly reduce maternal risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), which arises in the setting of the severe physiologic insulin resistance of pregnancy. Indeed, the insulin resistance of pregnancy is primarily driven by placental hormones and not maternal weight gain. Thus, we sought to evaluate the impact of neighborhood walkability on maternal risk of GDM and the pathophysiologic determinants thereof (insulin sensitivity and pancreatic beta-cell function).

METHODS

In this study, 1318 women reported their pregravid physical activity (Baecke questionnaire) while undergoing an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at mean 29.3 weeks' gestation. The OGTT identified 290 women with GDM and enabled assessment of insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function. Based on their residential Walk Score, the women were stratified into the following four established categories of neighborhood walkability: car dependent (n=328), somewhat walkable (n=315), very walkable (n=406), and walker's paradise (n=269).

RESULTS

There was a progressive increase in pregravid total physical activity (p=0.002), non-sport leisure-time activity (p=0.009) and sport activity (p=0.01) across the walkability groups (from car dependent to somewhat walkable to very walkable to walker's paradise), coupled with a concomitant decline in pre-pregnancy body mass index (p=0.007). However, in pregnancy, the groups did not differ in gestational weight gain (p=0.80). Moreover, the walkability groups also did not differ in mean adjusted insulin sensitivity, beta-cell function, or glycemia on the antepartum OGTT. On logistic regression analysis, Walk Score did not predict GDM (OR=1.001, 95% CI 0.995 to 1.007).

CONCLUSION

Neighborhood walkability is not a significant determinant of maternal risk of GDM. Thus, in contrast to T2DM, the effect of neighborhood design on incidence of GDM will be comparatively modest.

The Effects of Lifestyle and/or Vitamin D Supplementation Interventions on Pregnancy Outcomes: What Have We Learned from the DALI Studies?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The DALI (vitamin D and lifestyle intervention in the prevention of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM)) study aimed to prevent GDM with lifestyle interventions or Vitamin D supplementation (1600 IU/day). This review summarizes the learnings from the DALI studies among pregnant women with a BMI ≥ 29 kg/m².

RECENT FINDINGS

Women diagnosed with GDM earlier in pregnancy had a worse metabolic profile than those diagnosed later. A combined physical activity (PA) and healthy eating (HE) lifestyle intervention improved both behaviours, limited gestational weight gain (GWG) and was cost-effective. Although GDM risk was unchanged, neonatal adiposity was reduced due to less sedentary time. Neither PA nor HE alone limited GWG or GDM risk. Fasting glucose was higher with HE only intervention, and lower with Vitamin D supplementation. Our combined intervention did not prevent GDM, but was cost-effective, limited GWG and reduced neonatal adiposity.

When should cardiovascular prevention begin? The importance of antenatal, perinatal and primordial prevention

Cardiovascular diseases represent a major health problem, being one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Therefore, in this scenario, cardiovascular prevention plays an essential role although it is difficult to establish when promoting and implementing preventive strategies. However, there is growing evidence that prevention should start even before birth, during pregnancy, aiming to avoid the onset of cardiovascular risk factors, since events that occur early in life have a great impact on the cardiovascular risk profile of an adult. The two pillars of this early preventive strategy are nutrition and physical exercise, together with prevention of cardio-metabolic diseases during pregnancy. This review attempts to gather the growing evidence of the benefits of antenatal, perinatal and primordial prevention, discussing also the possibility to reverse or to mitigate the cardiovascular profile developed in the initial stages of life. This could pave the way for future research, investigating the optimal time and duration of these preventing measures, their duration and maintenance in adulthood, and the most effective interventions according to the different age and guiding in the next years, the best clinical practice and the political strategies to cope with cardiovascular disease.

Comparison and Characterization of Prenatal Nutrition Counseling among Large-for-Gestational Age Deliveries by Pre-Pregnancy BMI

It is recommended that prenatal care include nutrition counseling; however, <70% of women report receipt of nutrition counseling during pregnancy. In this study, we aimed to characterize prenatal nutrition counseling (PNC) among large-for-gestational age deliveries at a low-income and minority-serving hospital by performing a retrospective chart review of infants with a birth weight > 4000 g. Of the 2380 deliveries, 165 met the inclusion criteria. Demographics, PNC receipt, and pregnancy outcomes were compared among normal-weight (NW; BMI: 18.5–24.9 kg/m², 19%, n = 31), overweight (OW; BMI: 25–29.9 kg/m², 29%, n = 48), and obese (OB; BMI > 30 kg/m², 52%, n = 86) women. The majority (78%, n = 129) of women were Hispanic White with a mean age of 30.4 ± 5.7 yrs and gestational weight gain of 12.1 ± 5.8 kgs. A total of 62% (n = 103) of women received PNC. A total of 57% gained above the Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommendations (n = 94). OB women were 2.6 and 2.1 times more likely to receive PNC than OW (95% CI: 1.1–2.0) and NW (95% CI: 0.9–1.9) women, respectively. Women who gained within the IOM recommendations for their pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) were 50% less likely to receive PNC than women who gained above the IOM recommendations for their pre-pregnancy weight (χ = 4.45, p = 0.035; OR = 0.48, CI: 0.24 to 0.95). Infant birthweight was significantly higher among women who received PNC (4314 ± 285 vs. 4197 ± 175 g, p = 0.004). These data suggest that PNC was directed toward women who enter pregnancy in the obese weight category and/or gain excessively across gestation. Future studies should provide PNC to all women to evaluate whether it reduces the risk of delivering large-for-gestational age deliveries across all maternal weight categories. Additionally, more work is needed to identify the types of PNC that are most effective for this high-risk population.

A Randomised Trial to Optimise Gestational Weight Gain and Improve Maternal and Infant Health Outcomes through Antenatal Dietary, Lifestyle and Exercise Advice: The OPTIMISE Randomised Trial

There are well-recognised associations between excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) and adverse pregnancy outcomes, including an increased risk of pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes and caesarean birth. The aim of the OPTIMISE randomised trial was to evaluate the effect of dietary and exercise advice among pregnant women of normal body mass index (BMI), on pregnancy and birth outcomes. The trial was conducted in Adelaide, South Australia. Pregnant women with a body mass index in the healthy weight range (18.5–24.9 kg/m²) were enrolled in a randomised controlled trial of a dietary and lifestyle intervention versus standard antenatal care. The dietitian-led dietary and lifestyle intervention over the course of pregnancy was based on the Australian Guide to Healthy Eating. Baseline characteristics of women in the two treatment groups were similar. There was no statistically significant difference in the proportion of infants with birth weight above 4.0 kg between the Lifestyle Advice and Standard Care groups (24/316 (7.59%) Lifestyle Advice versus 26/313 (8.31%) Standard Care; adjusted risk ratio (aRR) 0.91; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.54 to 1.55; p = 0.732). Despite improvements in maternal diet quality, no significant differences between the treatment groups were observed for total GWG, or other pregnancy and birth outcomes.

Effect of motivational interviewing on gestational weight gain and fetal growth in pregnant women with type 2 diabetes

Objective

To study how lifestyle coaching with motivational interviewing to improve adherence to healthy eating affects gestational weight gain and fetal growth in pregnant women with type 2 diabetes in a real-world setting.

Research design and methods

A cohort study including a prospective intervention cohort of consecutive, singleton pregnant, Danish-speaking women with type 2 diabetes included between August 2015 and February 2018 and a historical reference cohort included between February 2013 and August 2015. The intervention consisted of a motivational interviewing to improve adherence to healthy eating in addition to routine care. The reference cohort received routine care only. The main outcomes were gestational weight gain and large for gestational age (LGA) infants.

Results

Ninety-seven women were included in the intervention cohort and 92 in the reference cohort. Pre-pregnancy body mass index (32.8±6.9 kg/m2 vs 32.4±7.4 kg/m2, p=0.70), gestational weight gain (9.2±5.8 kg vs 10.2±5.8 kg, p=0.25), HbA1c in early pregnancy (6.7%±1.1% vs 6.5%±1.3% (50±12 mmol/mol vs 48±14 mmol/mol), p=0.32) and late pregnancy (5.9%±0.5% vs 6.0%±0.6% (41±6 mmol/mol vs 42±7 mmol/mol), p=0.34) were comparable in the two cohorts. LGA infants occurred in 20% vs 31%, p=0.07, respectively, and after adjustment for maternal characteristics 14% vs 27% delivered LGA infants (p=0.04). Birth weight z-score was 0.24±1.36 vs 0.61±1.38, p=0.06.

Conclusions

Motivational interviewing to improve adherence to healthy eating in addition to routine care in pregnant women with type 2 diabetes tended to reduce fetal overgrowth without major effect on gestational weight gain. Further studies investigating the cost-benefit of enhancing motivation are needed.

Trial registration number

NCT02883127.

Protocol for a two-arm feasibility RCT to support postnatal maternal weight management and positive lifestyle behaviour in women from an ethnically diverse inner city population: the SWAN feasibility trial

Introduction

A high BMI during and after pregnancy is linked to poor pregnancy outcomes and contributes to long-term maternal obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. Evidence of feasible, effective postnatal interventions is lacking. This randomised controlled trial will assess the feasibility of conducting a future definitive trial to determine effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of lifestyle information and access to Slimming World® (Alfreton, UK) groups for 12 weeks commencing from 8 to 16 weeks postnatally, in relation to supporting longer-term postnatal weight management in women in an ethnically diverse inner city population.

Methods/analysis

Women will be recruited from one maternity unit in London. To be eligible, women will be overweight (BMI 25–29.9 kg/m²) or obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) as identified at their first antenatal contact, or have a normal BMI (18.5–24.9 kg/m²) at booking but gain excessive gestational weight as assessed at 36 weeks gestation. Women will be aged 18 and over, can speak and read English, expecting a single baby, and will not have accessed weight management groups in this pregnancy. Women will be randomly allocated to standard care plus lifestyle information and access to Slimming World® (Alfreton, UK) groups or standard care only. A sample of 130 women is required.

Feasibility trial objectives reflect those considered most important inform a decision about undertaking a definitive future trial. These include estimation of impact of lifestyle information and postnatal access to Slimming World® (Alfreton, UK) on maternal weight change between antenatal booking weight and weight at 12 months postbirth, recruitment rate and time to recruitment, retention rate, influence of lifestyle information and Slimming World® (Alfreton, UK) groups on weight management, diet, physical activity, breastfeeding, smoking cessation, alcohol intake, physical and mental health, infant health, and health-related quality of life 6 and 12 months postnatally. An embedded process evaluation will assess acceptability of study processes and procedures to women.

Ethics/dissemination

London–Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee, reference: 16/LO/1422. Outcomes will be disseminated in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at national and international conferences.

Trial registration

Trial registration number: ISRCTN 39186148. Protocol version number: v7, 13 August 17. Trial sponsor: King’s College London.

Maternal cardiometabolic markers are associated with fetal growth: a secondary exploratory analysis of the LIMIT randomised trial

BACKGROUND

To determine the association between maternal cardiometabolic and inflammatory markers with measures of fetal biometry and adiposity.

METHODS

Women included in this exploratory analysis were randomised to the 'Standard Care' group (N = 911) from the LIMIT randomised trial involving a total of 2212 pregnant women who were overweight or obese (ACTRN12607000161426, Date of registration 9/03/2007, prospectively registered). Fetal biometry including abdominal circumference (AC), estimated fetal weight (EFW), and adiposity measurements (mid-thigh fat mass, subscapular fat mass, abdominal fat mass) were obtained from ultrasound assessments at 28 and 36 weeks' gestation. Maternal markers included C reactive protein (CRP), leptin and adiponectin concentrations, measured at 28 and 36 weeks' gestation and fasting triglycerides and glucose concentrations measured at 28 weeks' gestation.

RESULTS

There were negative associations identified between maternal serum adiponectin and fetal ultrasound markers of biometry and adiposity. After adjusting for confounders, a 1-unit increase in log Adiponectin was associated with a reduction in the mean AC z score [- 0.21 (- 0.35, - 0.07), P = 0.004] and EFW [- 0.23 (- 0.37, - 0.10), P < 0.001] at 28 weeks gestation. Similarly, a 1-unit increase in log Adiponectin was association with a reduction in the mean AC z score [- 0.30 (- 0.46, - 0.13), P < 0.001] and EFW [- 0.24 (- 0.38, - 0.10), P < 0.001] at 36 weeks gestation. There were no consistent associations between maternal cardiometabolic and inflammatory markers with measurements of fetal adiposity.

CONCLUSION

Adiponectin concentrations are associated with measures of fetal growth. Our findings contribute to further understanding of fetal growth in the setting of women who are overweight or obesity.

Preeclampsia: Risk Factors, Diagnosis, Management, and the Cardiovascular Impact on the Offspring

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy affect up to 10% of pregnancies worldwide, which includes the 3%–5% of all pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is defined as new onset hypertension after 20 weeks’ gestation with evidence of maternal organ or uteroplacental dysfunction or proteinuria. Despite its prevalence, the risk factors that have been identified lack accuracy in predicting its onset and preventative therapies only moderately reduce a woman’s risk of preeclampsia. Preeclampsia is a major cause of maternal morbidity and is associated with adverse foetal outcomes including intra-uterine growth restriction, preterm birth, placental abruption, foetal distress, and foetal death in utero. At present, national guidelines for foetal surveillance in preeclamptic pregnancies are inconsistent, due to a lack of evidence detailing the most appropriate assessment modalities as well as the timing and frequency at which assessments should be conducted. Current management of the foetus in preeclampsia involves timely delivery and prevention of adverse effects of prematurity with antenatal corticosteroids and/or magnesium sulphate depending on gestation. Alongside the risks to the foetus during pregnancy, there is also growing evidence that preeclampsia has long-term adverse effects on the offspring. In particular, preeclampsia has been associated with cardiovascular sequelae in the offspring including hypertension and altered vascular function.

Sonographic markers of fetal adiposity and risk of Cesarean delivery

OBJECTIVE

Increased fetal size is associated with shoulder dystocia during labor and subsequent need for assisted delivery. We sought to investigate if increased fetal adiposity diagnosed sonographically in late pregnancy is associated with increased risk of operative delivery.

METHODS

This secondary analysis of the Genesis Study recruited 2392 nulliparous women with singleton pregnancy in cephalic presentation, in a prospective, multicenter study, to examine prenatal and intrapartum predictors of Cesarean delivery. Participants underwent ultrasound and clinical evaluation between 39 + 0 and 40 + 6 weeks' gestation. Data on fetal biometry were not revealed to patients or to their managing clinicians. A fetal adiposity composite of fetal thigh adiposity and fetal abdominal wall thickness was compiled for each infant in order to determine whether fetal adiposity > 90^th centile was associated with an increased risk of Cesarean or operative vaginal delivery.

RESULTS

After exclusions, data were available for 2330 patients. Patients with a fetal adiposity composite > 90^th centile had a higher maternal body mass index (BMI) (25 ± 5 kg/m² vs 24 ± 4 kg/m² ; P = 0.005), birth weight (3872 ± 417 g vs 3585 ± 401 g; P < 0.0001) and rate of induction of labor (47% (108/232) vs 40% (834/2098); P = 0.048) than did those with an adiposity composite ≤ 90^th centile. Fetuses with adiposity composite > 90^th centile were more likely to require Cesarean delivery than were those with adiposity composite ≤ 90^th centile (P < 0.0001). After adjusting for birth weight, maternal BMI and need for induction of labor, fetal adiposity > 90^th centile remained a risk factor for Cesarean delivery (P < 0.0001). A fetal adiposity composite > 90^th centile was more predictive of the need for unplanned Cesarean delivery than was an estimated fetal weight > 90^th centile (odds ratio, 2.20 (95% CI, 1.65-2.94; P < 0.001) vs 1.74 (95% CI, 1.29-2.35; P < 0.001). Having an adiposity composite > 90^th centile was not associated with an increased likelihood of operative vaginal delivery when compared with having an adiposity composite ≤ 90^th centile (P = 0.37).

CONCLUSIONS

Fetuses with increased adipose deposition are more likely to require Cesarean delivery than are those without increased adiposity. Consideration should, therefore, be given to adding fetal thigh adiposity and abdominal wall thickness to fetal sonographic assessment in late pregnancy. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

GESTATIONAL WEIGHT GAIN AS AN INDEPENDENT RISK FACTOR FOR MACROSOMIA IN WOMEN WITH INTERMEDIATE STATE GESTATIONAL BLOOD GLUCOSE

Objective: Macrosomia is closely associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) but its relationship with maternal intermediate state gestational blood glucose (ISGBG; normal fasting blood glucose and 7.8 mmol/L <1 hour blood glucose [BG] <10 mmol/L or 6.7 mmol/L <2 hour BG <8.5 mmol/L) is unclear. Here, we analyzed the clinical characteristics and pregnancy outcomes and explored risk factors for macrosomia in women with ISGBG. Methods: A total of 847 women with normal glucose tolerance gestation, 330 with ISGBG, and 99 with GDM were included. Maternal and fetal clinical data were collected and 3-point BG following oral glucose tolerance test, fasting insulin, glycated hemoglobin, and blood lipids profile were measured. Results: The incidence rate of macrosomia among the neonates of women with ISGBG was as high as 10.9%. In the ISGBG group, prepregnancy body mass index (BMI), gestational weight gain (GWG) and the proportion of women with excessive GWG (eGWG) were significantly higher in women with macrosomia compared with those who delivered a normal weight neonate. In women with ISGBG, neonate weight was positively correlated with maternal prepregnancy weight (r = 0.183, P<.01), prepregnancy BMI (r = 0.135, P<.01), and GWG (r = 0.255, P<.01), and negatively correlated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r = -0.172, P<.01). Nonetheless, only eGWG was an independent risk factor (odds ratio = 3.18, 95% confidence interval = 1.26 to 7.88, P<.05) for macrosomia. The risk of macrosomia in pregnant women with prepregnancy BMI <25 kg/m² or BMI ≥25 kg/m² and eGWG was 3.39 and 3.27 times, respectively. Conclusion: The incidence rate of macrosomia is increased in women with ISGBG and eGWG is the strongest independent risk factor. In order to reduce the risk for macrosomia, timely lifestyle intervention to promote appropriate weight gain during pregnancy deserves evaluation. Abbreviations: AUC = area under the curve; BG = blood glucose; 1 hour BG = 1 hour blood glucose after OGTT; 2 hour BG = 2 hour blood glucose after OGTT; BMI = body mass index; CI = confidence interval; eGWG = excessive gestational weight gain; FBG = fasting blood glucose; FINS = fasting insulin; GDM = gestational diabetes mellitus; HbA1c = glycated hemoglobin; HDL-C = high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; HOMA-IR = homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index; ISGBG = intermediate state gestation blood glucose; LDL-C = low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; Ln = natural logarithm; MLBW = mature low birth weight; NGTG = normal glucose tolerance gestation; OGTT = oral glucose tolerance test; OR = odds ratio; SD = standard deviation.

Serum apoA1 (Apolipoprotein A-1), Insulin Resistance, and the Risk of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Human Pregnancy-Brief Report

OBJECTIVE

apoA1 (apolipoprotein A-1) is the main lipoprotein associated with HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol. It was recently reported that intravenous infusion of apoA1 could lower insulin resistance in pregnant rats, leading to the suggestion that apoA1 could provide a target for reducing pregnancy-induced insulin resistance and the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in humans. However, the effects of apoA1 on insulin resistance and risk of GDM in human pregnancy are not known. Thus, we sought to systematically evaluate the relationships of apoA1 with glucose homeostasis and metabolic function in pregnant women. Approach and Results: In this study, 870 pregnant women were recruited in late second trimester and underwent metabolic characterization, including an oral glucose tolerance test on which 214 were diagnosed with GDM. Metabolic characterization included assessment of glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity/resistance (Matsuda index, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance), pancreatic β-cell function, lipids (LDL [low-density lipoprotein] cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, apoB [apolipoprotein B], and apoA1), CRP (C-reactive protein), and adiponectin. Serum apoA1 was strongly correlated with HDL (r=0.79, P<0.0001) and weakly so with adiponectin (r=0.12, P=0.0004) but showed no association with measures of insulin sensitivity/resistance, β-cell function, glycemia, or CRP. There were no significant differences across apoA1 tertiles in mean adjusted Matsuda index (P=0.24), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (P=0.08), or area under the glucose curve on the oral glucose tolerance test (P=0.96). Moreover, there were no differences in risk of GDM across tertiles of apoA1, both before (P=0.67) and after covariate adjustment (P=0.78).

CONCLUSIONS

Serum apoA1 is not associated with insulin resistance or the risk of GDM in human pregnancy.

Feasibility of conducting an early pregnancy diet and lifestyle e-health intervention: the Pregnancy Lifestyle Activity Nutrition (PLAN) project

BACKGROUND

Childhood obesity is a global issue. Excessive weight gain in early pregnancy is independently associated with obesity in the next generation. Given the uptake of e-health, our primary aim was to pilot the feasibility of an e-health intervention, starting in the first trimester, to promote healthy lifestyle and prevent excess weight gain in early pregnancy. Methods: Women were recruited between 8 and 11 weeks gestation and randomised to the intervention or routine antenatal care. The intervention involved an e-health program providing diet, physical activity and well-being advice over 12 weeks.

RESULTS

Women (n = 57, 43.9% overweight/obese) were recruited at 9.38 ± 1.12 (control) and 9.06 ± 1.29 (intervention) weeks' gestation, mainly from obstetric private practices (81.2%). Retention was 73.7% for the 12-week intervention, 64.9% at birth and 55.8% at 3 months after birth.No difference in gestational weight gain or birth size was detected. Overall treatment effect showed a mean increase in score ranking the perceived confidence of dietary change (1.2 ± 0.46, p = 0.009) and score ranking readiness to exercise (1.21 ± 0.51, p = 0.016) over the intervention. At 3 months, infants weighed less in the intervention group (5405 versus 6193 g, p = 0.008) and had a lower ponderal index (25.5 ± 3.0 versus 28.8 ± 4.0 kg/m3) compared with the control group.

CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION

A lifestyle intervention starting in the first-trimester pregnancy utilising e-health mode of delivery is feasible. Future studies need strategies to target recruitment of participants of lower socio-economic status and ensure maximal blinding. Larger trials (using technology and focused on early pregnancy) are needed to confirm if decreased infant adiposity is maintained.

The relationship between body mass index before pregnancy and the amount of weight that should be gained during pregnancy: A cross-sectional study

Objective:

To investigate the adaptation of pregnant women to the recommended weight gain range according to body mass index (BMI) and to determine the factors affecting them.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study was performed in a university hospital’s obstetrics and gynecology unit (tertiary center) in Turkey. This study was conducted between March 2018 and August 2018 (6 months) in pregnant women. Pregnant women with chronic disease and receiving treatment during antenatal follow-up, with twin pregnancy, with a fetus with a congenital abnormality, and nutritional disturbance were excluded from the study. Eight hundred twelve pregnant women with normal antenatal follow-up and who volunteered to participate were included in the study.

Results:

The mean age of the participants was 27.66 ± 5.05 years. The mean weight and BMI before pregnancy were near standard in all participants. The group with the highest rate of recommended weight gain according to BMI before pregnancy was the group with low weight pregnant women. The ideal weight gain rate in all groups was 32%.

Conclusions:

The groups with overweight and obese pregnant women according to BMI before pregnancy had the highest rates of weight gain, above the recommended limits. BMI before pregnancy directly affects weight gain during pregnancy and the importance of pre-pregnancy counseling and weight loss is emphasized once again.

Nutritional Lifestyle Intervention in Obese Pregnant Women, Including Lower Carbohydrate Intake, Is Associated With Increased Maternal Free Fatty Acids, 3-β-Hydroxybutyrate, and Fasting Glucose Concentrations: A Secondary Factorial Analysis of the European Multicenter, Randomized Controlled DALI Lifestyle Intervention Trial

OBJECTIVE

In our randomized controlled trial, we investigated the impact of healthy eating (HE) aiming for restricted gestational weight gain (GWG) and physical activity (PA) interventions on maternal and neonatal lipid metabolism.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Obese pregnant women (n = 436) were included before 20 weeks' gestation and underwent glucose testing (oral glucose tolerance test) and lipid profiling at baseline and 24-28 and 35-37 gestational weeks after an at least 10-h overnight fast. This secondary analysis had a factorial design with comparison of HE (n = 221) versus no HE (n = 215) and PA (n = 218) versus no PA (n = 218). Maternal changes in triglycerides (TG), LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, free fatty acids (FFAs), and leptin from baseline to end of pregnancy and neonatal outcomes were analyzed using general linear models with adjustment for relevant parameters.

RESULTS

At 24-28 weeks' gestation, FFAs (mean ± SD, 0.60 ± 0.19 vs. 0.55 ± 0.17 mmol/L, P < 0.01) were increased after adjustment for FFA at baseline, maternal age, BMI at time of examination, gestational week, insulin resistance, self-reported food intake, self-reported physical activity, and maternal smoking, and GWG was lower (3.3 ± 2.6 vs. 4.3 ± 2.8 kg, P < 0.001, adjusted mean differences -1.0 [95% CI -1.5; -0.5]) in HE versus no HE. Fasting glucose levels (4.7 ± 0.4 vs. 4.6 ± 0.4 mmol/L, P < 0.05) and 3-β-hydroxybutyrate (3BHB) (0.082 ± 0.065 vs. 0.068 ± 0.067 mmol/L, P < 0.05) were higher in HE. Significant negative associations between carbohydrate intake and FFA, 3BHB, and fasting glucose at 24-28 weeks' gestation were observed. No differences between groups were found in oral glucose tolerance test or leptin or TG levels at any time. Furthermore, in PA versus no PA, no similar changes were found. In cord blood, elevated FFA levels were found in HE after full adjustment (0.34 ± 0.22 vs. 0.29 ± 0.16 mmol/L, P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

HE intervention was associated with reduced GWG, higher FFAs, higher 3BHB, and higher fasting glucose at 24-28 weeks of gestation, suggesting induction of lipolysis. Increased FFA was negatively associated with carbohydrate intake and was also observed in cord blood. These findings support the hypothesis that maternal antenatal dietary restriction including carbohydrates is associated with increased FFA mobilization.

An association between maternal weight change in the year before pregnancy and infant birth weight: ELFE, a French national birth cohort study

BACKGROUND

Weight-control interventions in pregnant women with overweight or obesity have limited effectiveness for fetal growth and birth outcomes. Interventions or prevention programs aiming at the pre-pregnancy period should be considered. However, how the woman's weight change before pregnancy affects fetal growth is not known. We investigated the association between weight change over the year before pregnancy and birth weight.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

We used the inclusion data of 16,395 women from the ELFE French national birth cohort, a nationally representative cohort in which infants were enrolled at birth with their families in 2011. Maternal weight change was self-reported and classified into 3 groups: moderate weight variation or stable weight, weight loss > 5 kg, and weight gain > 5 kg or both weight loss and gain > 5 kg. Multiple linear regression models were used to investigate the association between pre-pregnancy weight change and a birth weight z-score calculated according to the French Audipog reference, adjusted for a large set of maternal characteristics. The analyses were stratified by maternal body mass index (BMI) at conception (<25 versus ≥25 kg/m2) and adjusted for BMI within these categories. We used the MacKinnon method to test the mediating effect of gestational weight gain (GWG) on these associations. Mother's mean age was 30.5 years, 87% were born in France, and 26% had overweight or obesity. For women in either BMI category at conception, GWG was more than 2 kg higher, on average, for women with weight loss before pregnancy than for women with stable weight or moderate weight variation. For women with BMI < 25 kg/m2 at conception, birth weight was significantly higher with weight loss than stable weight before pregnancy (β = 0.08 [95% CI 0.02; 0.14], p = 0.01), and this total effect was explained by a significant mediating effect through GWG. For women with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 at conception, birth weight was not associated with pre-pregnancy weight loss during the year before pregnancy. Mediation analysis revealed that in these women, the direct effect of pre-pregnancy weight loss that would have resulted in a smaller birth weight z-score (β = -0.11 [95% CI -0.19; -0.03], p = 0.01) was cancelled out by the GWG. The mediating effect of GWG was even higher when weight loss resulted from a restrictive diet in the year before pregnancy. Weight gain before pregnancy was not associated with birth weight. Although we included a large number of women and had extensive data, the only potential cause of pre-pregnancy weight loss that was investigated was dieting for intentional weight loss. We have no information on other potential causes but did however exclude women with a history of pre-pregnancy chronic disease. Another limitation is declaration bias due to self-reported data.

CONCLUSIONS

Health professionals should be aware that GWG may offset the expected effect of weight loss before conception on fetal growth in overweight and obese women. Further studies are required to understand the underlying mechanisms in order to develop weight-control interventions and improve maternal periconceptional health and developmental conditions for the fetus.

Evidence-based recommendations for energy intake in pregnant women with obesity

BACKGROUND

In women with obesity, excess gestational weight gain (≥270 g/week) occurs in two out of three pregnancies and contributes to metabolic impairments in both mother and baby. To improve obstetrical care, objectively assessed information on energy balance is urgently needed. The objective of this study was to characterize determinants of gestational weight gain in women with obesity.

METHODS

This was a prospective, observational study of pregnant women with obesity. The primary outcome was energy intake calculated by the energy intake-balance method. Energy expenditure was measured by doubly-labeled water and whole-room indirect calorimetry and body composition as 3-compartment model by air displacement plethysmography and isotope dilution in early (13-16 weeks) and late pregnancy (35-37 weeks).

RESULTS

In pregnant women with obesity (n=54), recommended weight gain (n=8, 15%) during the second and third trimesters was achieved when energy intake was 125±52 kcal/d less than energy expenditure. In contrast, women with excess weight gain (67%) consumed 186±29 kcal/d more than they expended (P<0.001). Energy balance affected maternal adiposity (recommended: -2.5±0.8 kg fat mass, excess: +2.2±0.5, inadequate: -4.5±0.5, P<0.001), but not fetal growth. Weight gain was not related to demographics, activity, metabolic biomarkers, or diet quality. We estimated that energy intake requirements for recommended weight gain during the second and third trimesters were not increased as compared to energy requirements early in pregnancy (34±53 kcal/d, P=0.83).

CONCLUSIONS

We here provide the first evidence-based recommendations for energy intake in pregnant women with obesity. Contrary to current recommendations, energy intake should not exceed energy expenditure.

FUNDING

This study was funded by the National Institutes of Health (R01DK099175; Redman, U54GM104940 and P30DK072476; Core support).

TRIAL REGISTRATION

clinicaltrials.gov: NCT01954342.

Effect of antenatal dietary interventions in maternal obesity on pregnancy weight-gain and birthweight: Healthy Mums and Babies (HUMBA) randomized trial

BACKGROUND

Pregnancy interventions that improve maternal and infant outcomes are urgently needed in populations with high rates of obesity. We undertook the Healthy Mums and Babies (HUMBA) randomized controlled trial to assess the effect of dietary interventions and or probiotics in a multiethnic population of pregnant women with obesity, living in an area of high deprivation.

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether a culturally tailored dietary intervention and or daily probiotic capsules in pregnant women with obesity reduces the co-primary outcomes of (1) excessive gestational weight gain (mean >0.27 kg/week) and (2) birthweight.

STUDY DESIGN

We conducted a 2 × 2 factorial, randomized controlled trial in women without diabetes at pregnancy booking, body mass index ≥30 kg/m², and a singleton pregnancy. At 12⁺⁰ to 17⁺⁶ weeks' gestation, eligible women were randomized to a dietary intervention (4 tailored educational sessions at ≤28 weeks' gestation by a community health worker trained in key aspects of pregnancy nutrition plus text messaging until birth) or to routine dietary advice; and to daily capsules containing either (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Bifidobacterium lactis BB12, minimum 6.5 × 10⁹ colony forming units), or placebo, until birth. Analysis was by intention to treat with adjustment for maternal baseline body mass index. Infant outcomes were additionally adjusted for ethnicity, sex, and gestational age at birth.

RESULTS

In total, 230 women were recruited between April 2015 and June 2017 (dietary intervention N = 116 vs routine dietary advice N = 114; probiotics N = 115 vs placebo N = 115). Baseline characteristics and demographic variables were similar across all groups. There was no significant difference between intervention groups, for the co-primary outcomes of (1) proportion of women with excessive gestational weight gain (dietary intervention vs routine advice: 79/107 [73.8%] vs 90/110 [81.8%], adjusted relative risk [relative risk, 0.92; 95% confidence interval, 0.80-1.05]; probiotics versus placebo: 89/108 [82.4%] and 80/109 [73.4%], relative risk, 1.14, 95% confidence interval, 0.99-1.31) or (2) birthweight (dietary intervention vs routine advice: 3575 vs 3612 g, adjusted mean difference, -24 g, 95% confidence interval, -146 to 97; probiotics vs placebo: 3685 vs 3504 g, adjusted mean difference, 107 g, 95% confidence interval, -14 to 228). Total maternal weight gain, a secondary outcome, was lower with dietary intervention compared with routine dietary advice (9.7 vs 11.4 kg, adjusted mean difference, -1.76, 95% confidence interval, -3.55 to 0.03). There were no significant differences between intervention groups in other secondary maternal or neonatal outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Although dietary education and or probiotics did not alter rates of excessive gestational weight gain or birthweight in this multiethnic, high-deprivation population of pregnant women with obesity, dietary education was associated with a modest reduction in total weight gain with potential future benefit for the health of mothers and their offspring if sustained.

Gestational diabetes mellitus

Hyperglycaemia that develops during pregnancy and resolves after birth has been recognized for over 50 years, but uniform worldwide consensus is lacking about threshold hyperglycaemic levels that merit a diagnosis of 'gestational diabetes mellitus' (GDM) and thus treatment during pregnancy. GDM is currently the most common medical complication of pregnancy, and prevalence of undiagnosed hyperglycaemia and even overt diabetes in young women is increasing. Maternal overweight and obesity, later age at childbearing, previous history of GDM, family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus and ethnicity are major GDM risk factors. Diagnosis is usually performed using an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), although a non-fasting, glucose challenge test (GCT) is used in some parts of the world to screen women for those requiring a full OGTT. Dietary modification and increased physical activity are the primary treatments for GDM, but pharmacotherapy, usually insulin, is used when normoglycaemia is not achieved. Oral hypoglycaemic agents, principally metformin and glibenclamide (glyburide), are also used in some countries. Treatment improves immediate pregnancy outcomes, reducing excess fetal growth and adiposity and pregnancy-related hypertensive disorders. GDM increases the risk of long-term complications, including obesity, impaired glucose metabolism and cardiovascular disease, in both the mother and infant. Optimal management of mother and infant during long-term follow-up remains challenging, with very limited implementation of preventive strategies in most parts of the world.

How Maternal BMI Modifies the Impact of Personalized Asthma Management in Pregnancy

BACKGROUND

Maternal asthma is associated with perinatal complications and respiratory illness in offspring. Obesity increases asthma exacerbation risk in pregnancy and risk of wheeze in offspring.

OBJECTIVES

In this secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial, we investigated the influence of maternal body mass index, gestational weight gain (GWG), and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (F_ENO)-based management on asthma exacerbations in pregnancy and offspring wheeze.

METHODS

A total of 220 women were randomized to asthma treatment adjustment according to symptoms (control group), or F_ENO and symptoms (F_ENO group). Exacerbations were recorded prospectively. Height and weight were measured at baseline, and in late pregnancy. GWG was categorized according to Institute of Medicine guidelines. A validated parent-completed questionnaire assessed infant wheeze-related outcomes.

RESULTS

F_ENO-based management was associated with a significantly lower incidence rate ratio for maternal exacerbations in nonobese mothers (0.52, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.31-0.88, P = .015, n = 129), and women with GWG within recommendations (0.35, 95% CI, 0.12-0.96, P = .042, n = 43), but not for obese mothers (0.59, 95% CI, 0.32-1.08, P = .089, n = 88), or women with excess GWG (0.58, 95% CI, 0.32-1.04, P = .07, n = 104). Recurrent bronchiolitis occurred in 5.3% (n = 1) of infants born to non-overweight mothers, 16.7% (n = 3) of infants of overweight mothers, and 21.7% (n = 5) of infants of obese mothers in the control group. In the F_ENO group, 2 infants of obese mothers had recurrent bronchiolitis (7.1%, P = .031).

CONCLUSIONS

The benefits of F_ENO-based management are attenuated among obese mothers and those with excess GWG, indicating the importance of weight management in contributing to improved asthma management in pregnancy.

In overweight and obese women, fetal ultrasound biometry accurately predicts newborn measures

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between fetal ultrasound and newborn biometry and adiposity measures in the setting of maternal obesity.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study population involved 845 overweight or obese pregnant women, who participated in the Standard Care Group of the LIMIT randomised trial (ACTRN12607000161426, 9/03/2007). At 36 weeks gestation, fetal biometry, estimated fetal weight (EFW) and adiposity measures including mid-thigh fat mass (MTFM), subscapular fat mass (SSFM), and abdominal fat mass (AFM) were undertaken using ultrasound. Neonatal anthropometric measurements obtained after birth included birthweight, head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC) and skinfold thickness measurements (SFTM) of the subscapular region and abdomen.

RESULTS

At 36 weeks gestation, every 1 g increase in EFW was associated with a 0.94 g increase in birthweight (95% CI 0.88-0.99; P < 0.001). For every 1 mm increase in the fetal ultrasound measure, there was a 0.69 mm increase in birth HC (95% CI 0.63-0.75, P < 0.001) and 0.69 mm increase in birth AC (95% CI 0.60-0.79, P < 0.001). Subscapular fat mass in the fetus and the newborn (0.29 mm, 95% CI 0.20-0.39, P < 0.001) were moderately associated, but AFM measurements were not (0.06 mm, -0.03 to 0.15, P = 0.203). There is no evidence that these relationships differed by maternal body mass index.

CONCLUSION

In women who are overweight or obese, fetal ultrasound accurately predicts neonatal HC and AC along with birthweight.

One-year postpartum anthropometric outcomes in mothers and children in the LIFE-Moms lifestyle intervention clinical trials

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Excess gestational weight gain (GWG) is a risk factor for maternal postpartum weight retention and excessive neonatal adiposity, especially in women with overweight or obesity. Whether lifestyle interventions to reduce excess GWG also reduce 12-month maternal postpartum weight retention and infant weight-for-length z score is unknown. Randomized controlled trials from the LIFE-Moms consortium investigated lifestyle interventions that began in pregnancy and tested whether there was benefit through 12 months on maternal postpartum weight retention (i.e., the difference in weight from early pregnancy to 12 months) and infant-weight-for-length z scores.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

In LIFE-Moms, women (N = 1150; 14.1 weeks gestation at enrollment) with overweight or obesity were randomized within each of seven trials to lifestyle intervention or standard care. Individual participant data were combined and analyzed using generalized linear mixed models with trial entered as a random effect. The 12-month assessment was completed by 83% (959/1150) of women and 84% (961/1150) of infants.

RESULTS

Compared with standard care, lifestyle intervention reduced postpartum weight retention (2.2 ± 7.0 vs. 0.7 ± 6.2 kg, respectively; difference of -1.6 kg (95% CI -2.5, -0.7; p = 0.0003); the intervention effect was mediated by reduction in excess GWG, which explained 22% of the effect on postpartum weight retention. Lifestyle intervention also significantly increased the odds (OR = 1.68 (95% CI, 1.26, 2.24)) and percentage of mothers (48.2% vs. 36.2%) at or below baseline weight at 12 months postpartum (yes/no) compared with standard care. There was no statistically significant treatment group effect on infant anthropometric outcomes at 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with standard care, lifestyle interventions initiated in pregnancy and focused on healthy eating, increased physical activity, and other behavioral strategies resulted in significantly less weight retention but similar infant anthropometric outcomes at 12 months postpartum in a large, diverse US population of women with overweight and obesity.

Effects of a Lifestyle Intervention in Routine Care on Prenatal Dietary Behavior-Findings from the Cluster-Randomized GeliS Trial

The antenatal lifestyle and excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) modify the risk of obstetric complications, maternal weight retention, and the risk of obesity for the next generation. The cluster-randomized controlled "Healthy living in pregnancy" (GeliS) study, recruiting 2286 women, was designed to examine whether a lifestyle intervention reduced the proportion of women with excessive GWG. Trained healthcare providers gave four counseling sessions covering a healthy diet, regular physical activity, and self-monitoring of GWG in the intervention group. In this secondary analysis, the effect on maternal dietary behavior was analyzed. Dietary behavior was assessed by means of a 58-item food frequency questionnaire in early and late pregnancy. The intervention resulted in a significant reduction in soft drink intake (p < 0.001) and an increase in the consumption of fish (p = 0.002) and vegetables (p = 0.023). With the exception of higher percentage energy from protein (p = 0.018), no effects of the intervention on energy and macronutrient intake were observed. There was no evidence for an overall effect on dietary quality measured with a healthy eating index. Some dietary variables were shown to be associated with GWG. In a routine prenatal care setting in Germany, lifestyle advice modified single aspects of dietary behavior, but not energy intake or overall dietary quality.

Mediterranean-style diet in pregnant women with metabolic risk factors (ESTEEM): A pragmatic multicentre randomised trial

BACKGROUND

Pregnant women with metabolic risk factors are at high risk of complications. We aimed to assess whether a Mediterranean-style diet reduces adverse pregnancy outcomes in high-risk women.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

We conducted a multicentre randomised trial in 5 maternity units (4 in London and 1 in Birmingham) between 12 September 2014 and 29 February 2016. We randomised inner-city pregnant women with metabolic risk factors (obesity, chronic hypertension, or hypertriglyceridaemia) to a Mediterranean-style diet with high intake of nuts, extra virgin olive oil, fruits, vegetables, nonrefined grains, and legumes; moderate to high consumption of fish; low to moderate intake of poultry and dairy products; low intake of red and processed meat; and avoidance of sugary drinks, fast food, and food rich in animal fat versus usual care. Participants received individualised dietary advice at 18, 20, and 28 weeks' gestation. The primary endpoints were composite maternal (gestational diabetes or preeclampsia) and composite offspring (stillbirth, small for gestational age, or admission to neonatal care unit) outcomes prioritised by a Delphi survey. We used an intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis with multivariable models and identified the stratification variables and prognostic factors a priori. We screened 7,950 and randomised 1,252 women. Baseline data were available for 593 women in the intervention (93.3% follow-up, 553/593) and 612 in the control (95.6% follow-up, 585/612) groups. Over a quarter of randomised women were primigravida (330/1,205; 27%), 60% (729/1,205) were of Black or Asian ethnicity, and 69% (836/1,205) were obese. Women in the intervention arm consumed more nuts (70.1% versus 22.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 6.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.3-10.6, p ≤ 0.001) and extra virgin olive oil (93.2% versus 49.0%; aOR 32.2, 95% CI 16.0-64.6, p ≤ 0.001) than controls; increased their intake of fish (p < 0.001), white meat (p < 0.001), and pulses (p = 0.05); and reduced their intake of red meat (p < 0.001), butter, margarine, and cream (p < 0.001). There was no significant reduction in the composite maternal (22.8% versus 28.6%; aOR 0.76, 95% CI 0.56-1.03, p = 0.08) or composite offspring (17.3% versus 20.9%; aOR 0.79, 95% CI 0.58-1.08, p = 0.14) outcomes. There was an apparent reduction in the odds of gestational diabetes by 35% (aOR 0.65, 95% CI 0.47-0.91, p = 0.01) but not in other individual components of the composite outcomes. Mothers gained less gestational weight (mean 6.8 versus 8.3 kg; adjusted difference -1.2 Kg, 95% CI -2.2 to -0.2, p = 0.03) with intervention versus control. There was no difference in any of the other maternal and offspring complications between both groups. When we pooled findings from the Effect of Simple, Targeted Diet in Pregnant Women With Metabolic Risk Factors on Pregnancy Outcomes (ESTEEM) trial with similar trials using random effects meta-analysis, we observed a significant reduction in gestational diabetes (odds ratio [OR] 0.67, 95% CI 0.53-0.84, I2 = 0%), with no heterogeneity (2 trials, 2,397 women). The study's limitations include the use of participant reported tools for adherence to the intervention instead of objective biomarkers.

CONCLUSIONS

A simple, individualised, Mediterranean-style diet in pregnancy did not reduce the overall risk of adverse maternal and offspring complications but has the potential to reduce gestational weight gain and the risk of gestational diabetes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02218931.

Behavioral Determinants of Objectively Assessed Diet Quality in Obese Pregnancy

Interventions to promote healthy pregnancy in women with obesity by improving diet quality have been widely unsuccessful. We hypothesized that diet quality is determined by eating behaviors, but evidence in women with obesity is lacking. We evaluated diet quality and eating behavior in 56 women with obesity (mean ± SEM, 36.7 ± 0.7 kg/m2, 46% White, 50% nulliparous) early in pregnancy (14.9 ± 0.1 weeks). Diet quality was objectively assessed with food photography over six days and defined by Healthy Eating Index. Eating behaviors were assessed by validated questionnaires. Women reported consuming diets high in fat (38 ± 1% of energy) and the HEI was considered "poor" on average (46.7 ± 1.3), and for 71% of women. Diet quality was independently associated with education level (p = 0.01), food cravings (p < 0.01), and awareness towards eating (p = 0.01). Cravings for sweets and fast foods were positively correlated with respective intakes of these foods (p < 0.01 and p = 0.04, respectively), whereas cravings for fruits and vegetables did not relate to diet intake. We provide evidence of the determinants of poor diet quality in pregnant women with obesity. Based on this observational study, strategies to improve diet quality and pregnancy outcomes are to satisfy cravings for healthy snacks and foods, and to promote awareness towards eating behaviors.

A reduction in sedentary behaviour in obese women during pregnancy reduces neonatal adiposity: the DALI randomised controlled trial

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Offspring of obese women are at increased risk of features of the metabolic syndrome, including obesity and diabetes. Lifestyle intervention in pregnancy might reduce adverse effects of maternal obesity on neonatal adiposity.

METHODS

In the Vitamin D And Lifestyle Intervention for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) Prevention (DALI) lifestyle trial, 436 women with a BMI ≥29 kg/m² were randomly assigned to counselling on healthy eating (HE), physical activity (PA) or HE&PA, or to usual care (UC). In secondary analyses of the lifestyle trial, intervention effects on neonatal outcomes (head, abdominal, arm and leg circumferences and skinfold thicknesses, estimated fat mass, fat percentage, fat-free mass and cord blood leptin) were assessed using multilevel regression analyses. Mediation of intervention effects by lifestyle and gestational weight gain was assessed.

RESULTS

Outcomes were available from 334 neonates. A reduction in sum of skinfolds (-1.8 mm; 95% CI -3.5, -0.2; p = 0.03), fat mass (-63 g; 95% CI -124, -2; p = 0.04), fat percentage (-1.2%; 95% CI -2.4%, -0.04%; p = 0.04) and leptin (-3.80 μg/l; 95% CI -7.15, -0.45; p = 0.03) was found in the HE&PA group, and reduced leptin in female neonates in the PA group (-5.79 μg/l; 95% CI -11.43, -0.14; p = 0.05) compared with UC. Reduced sedentary time, but not gestational weight gain, mediated intervention effects on leptin in both the HE&PA and PA groups.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

The HE&PA intervention resulted in reduced adiposity in neonates. Reduced sedentary time seemed to drive the intervention effect on cord blood leptin. Implications for future adiposity and diabetes risk of the offspring need to be elucidated.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ISRCTN70595832.

Interventions to prevent women developing gestational diabetes mellitus: an overview of Cochrane Reviews

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (Overview). The objectives are as follows:

To summarise the evidence from Cochrane systematic reviews regarding the effects of interventions to prevent women developing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Similarities in Maternal Weight and Birth Weight Across Pregnancies and Across Sisters

Objectives The current study examined how prepregnancy body mass index (BMI), gestational weight gain, and birth weight cluster between births within women and between women who are sisters. Methods Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 cohort, we utilized nested, multivariable hierarchical linear models to examine the correlation of these three outcomes between births (n = 6006) to women (n = 3605) and sisters (n = 3170) so that we can quantify the clustering by sibship and by woman for these three pregnancy-related outcomes. Results After controlling for confounding covariates, prepregnancy BMI (intraclass correlation (ICC) 0.24, 95% CI 0.16, 0.32), gestational weight gain (ICC 0.23, 95% CI 0.16, 0.31), and infant's birthweight (ICC 0.07, 95% CI 0.003, 0.13) were correlated between sisters. Additionally, all three outcomes were significantly correlated between births for each sister, suggesting that prepregnancy BMI (ICC 0.82, 95% CI 0.81, 0.83), gestational weight gain (ICC 0.45, 95% CI 0.42, 0.49), and birth weight (ICC 0.31, 95% CI 0.28, 0.35) track between pregnancies in the same woman. Conclusions for Practice The observed clustering both within women and between sisters suggests that shared genetic and environmental factors among sisters play a role in pregnancy outcomes above and beyond that of women's own genetic and environmental factors. Findings suggest that asking a woman about her sisters' pregnancy outcomes could provide insight into the possible outcomes for her current pregnancy. Future research should test if collecting such a family history and providing tailored clinical recommendations accordingly would be useful.

Association of Gestational Weight Gain With Adverse Maternal and Infant Outcomes

Importance

Both low and high gestational weight gain have been associated with adverse maternal and infant outcomes, but optimal gestational weight gain remains uncertain and not well defined for all prepregnancy weight ranges.

Objectives

To examine the association of ranges of gestational weight gain with risk of adverse maternal and infant outcomes and estimate optimal gestational weight gain ranges across prepregnancy body mass index categories.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Individual participant-level meta-analysis using data from 196 670 participants within 25 cohort studies from Europe and North America (main study sample). Optimal gestational weight gain ranges were estimated for each prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) category by selecting the range of gestational weight gain that was associated with lower risk for any adverse outcome. Individual participant-level data from 3505 participants within 4 separate hospital-based cohorts were used as a validation sample. Data were collected between 1989 and 2015. The final date of follow-up was December 2015.

Exposures

Gestational weight gain.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The main outcome termed any adverse outcome was defined as the presence of 1 or more of the following outcomes: preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, cesarean delivery, preterm birth, and small or large size for gestational age at birth.

Results

Of the 196 670 women (median age, 30.0 years [quartile 1 and 3, 27.0 and 33.0 years] and 40 937 were white) included in the main sample, 7809 (4.0%) were categorized at baseline as underweight (BMI <18.5); 133 788 (68.0%), normal weight (BMI, 18.5-24.9); 38 828 (19.7%), overweight (BMI, 25.0-29.9); 11 992 (6.1%), obesity grade 1 (BMI, 30.0-34.9); 3284 (1.7%), obesity grade 2 (BMI, 35.0-39.9); and 969 (0.5%), obesity grade 3 (BMI, ≥40.0). Overall, any adverse outcome occurred in 37.2% (n = 73 161) of women, ranging from 34.7% (2706 of 7809) among women categorized as underweight to 61.1% (592 of 969) among women categorized as obesity grade 3. Optimal gestational weight gain ranges were 14.0 kg to less than 16.0 kg for women categorized as underweight; 10.0 kg to less than 18.0 kg for normal weight; 2.0 kg to less than 16.0 kg for overweight; 2.0 kg to less than 6.0 kg for obesity grade 1; weight loss or gain of 0 kg to less than 4.0 kg for obesity grade 2; and weight gain of 0 kg to less than 6.0 kg for obesity grade 3. These gestational weight gain ranges were associated with low to moderate discrimination between those with and those without adverse outcomes (range for area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.55-0.76). Results for discriminative performance in the validation sample were similar to the corresponding results in the main study sample (range for area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.51-0.79).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this meta-analysis of pooled individual participant data from 25 cohort studies, the risk for adverse maternal and infant outcomes varied by gestational weight gain and across the range of prepregnancy weights. The estimates of optimal gestational weight gain may inform prenatal counseling; however, the optimal gestational weight gain ranges had limited predictive value for the outcomes assessed.

Preconception management of women with obesity: A systematic review

The prevalence of women of child-bearing age with obesity continues to rise at an alarming rate. This has significant implications for both the short-term and long-term health of mother and offspring. Given the paucity of evidence-based literature in this field, the preconception management of women with obesity is highly variable both between institutions and around the world. This systematic review aims to evaluate studies that inform us about the role of preconception weight loss in the fertility and pregnancy outcomes of women with obesity. Current therapeutic interventions are discussed, with a specific focus on the suitability of weight loss interventions for women with obesity planning pregnancy. There are significant knowledge gaps in the current literature; these are discussed and areas for future research are explored.

Do lifestyle interventions during pregnancy have the potential to reduce long-term postpartum weight retention? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Reducing postpartum weight retention is a promising strategy for addressing the rising prevalence of overweight and obesity in women. This systematic review and meta-analysis explored whether lifestyle interventions during pregnancy have the potential to reduce weight retention at 4 months postpartum and beyond. A search of five electronic databases for randomized controlled trials comparing the effect of weight-related lifestyle interventions beginning in pregnancy on postpartum weight retention to standard prenatal care groups was performed. Postpartum weight retention data was synthesized in a random-effects meta-analysis. Data from 14 studies of 7116 participants showed that the intervention group retained statistically significant less weight than the control group (weighted mean difference: -0.73 kg, 95% CI: -1.32 to -0.14, P = 0.015). Subgroup analysis showed this effect to be largest in studies with follow-ups from 4 to 6 months (weighted mean difference: -1.32 kg, 95% CI: -2.11 to -0.53, P = 0.001), but it remained significant until 12 months postpartum (weighted mean difference: -0.68 kg, 95% CI: -1.28 to -0.09, P = 0.023). In studies of women with a body mass index above 25.0 kg/m² , no significant intervention effect was observed. More high-quality studies with a follow-up beyond 12 months postpartum are needed.

Management of Hypertension in the Obese Pregnant Patient

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To evaluate recent developments in the management of hypertension in obese pregnant women.

RECENT FINDINGS

The mainstay of management targets prevention of hypertension with preconception counselling, entering pregnancy with a lower BMI, limiting weight gain, and taking low-dose aspirin to prevent pre-eclampsia from before 16 weeks' gestation. There are conflicting results regarding the use of metformin in reducing hypertensive disease, but there is a high probability that it has a role to play. Clinical trials are in progress examining the use of statins in preventing pre-eclampsia, with promising results from pre-clinical trials. Home blood pressure monitoring may be helpful in diagnosing and monitoring the control of hypertension. The most protective interventions against hypertensive disease in obese pregnant women are entering pregnancy at a lower BMI, avoiding inter-pregnancy weight gain, and taking low-dose aspirin during pregnancy. Further research is needed around the use of metformin, statins, and home blood pressure monitoring.

Review of general suggestions on physical activity to prevent and treat gestational and pre-existing diabetes during pregnancy and in postpartum

The aim of this review is to provide general suggestions on physical activity (PA) in pre-gestational and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and encourage women to take part in safe and effective activities throughout pregnancy, in the absence of other contraindications. PA before and during pregnancy and in postpartum has many positive effects on the mother, as it could reduce the risk of GDM, excessive weight gain and lower back pain and also prevents, in the postpartum, diabetes mellitus. It may also reduce the duration of labour and complications at childbirth, fatigue, stress, anxiety and depression, thereby leading to an improved sense of wellbeing. Clinically, it is thought to help prevent preeclampsia and premature birth even though RCTs provide conflicting evidence with regard to the prevention of GDM. The main reason for this rests on the fact that the majority of clinical trials have not been able to replicate the preventive effect of PA on the onset of GDM, such as the different adherence of the patient to PA. Herein, we survey the literature regarding exercise and PA on GDM prevention and treatment as well as on clinical outcomes in pre-GDM in pregnancy. On the basis of the current literature, we also present a series of general recommendations and suggestions on PA and exercise training in pregnancy among both diabetic patients and those at risk for GDM.

Improving outcomes in gestational diabetes: does gestational weight gain matter?

AIM

Excessive gestational weight gain increases risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) but it remains unclear whether weight control after GDM diagnosis improves outcomes. We assessed whether: (1) total gestational weight gain during pregnancy (0-36 weeks); (2) early gestational weight gain (0-28 weeks, before GDM diagnosis); or (3) late gestational weight gain (28-36 weeks, after diagnosis) are associated with maternal-fetal outcomes.

METHODS

Some 546 women with GDM who delivered viable singleton infants at a single UK obstetric centre (October 2014 to March 2017) were included in this retrospective observational study.

RESULTS

Higher total gestational weight gain was associated with Caesarean section [n = 376; odds ratio (OR) 1.05; confidence intervals (CI) 1.02-1.08, P < 0.001] and large for gestational age (OR 1.08; CI 1.03-1.12, P < 0.001). Higher late gestational weight gain (28-36 weeks; n = 144) was associated with large for gestational age (OR 1.17; CI 1.01-1.37, P < 0.05), instrumental deliveries (OR 1.26; CI 1.03-1.55, P < 0.01), higher total daily insulin doses (36 weeks; beta coefficient 4.37; CI 1.92-6.82, P < 0.001), and higher post-partum 2-h oral glucose tolerance test concentrations (beta coefficient 0.12; CI 0.01-0.22, P < 0.05). Women who avoided substantial weight gain after GDM diagnosis had 0.7 mmol/l lower postnatal 2-h glucose and needed half the amount of insulin/day at 36 weeks compared with women with substantial weight gain after diagnosis. There were no significant associations between early gestational weight gain (0-28 weeks) and pregnancy outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that controlling gestational weight gain should be a priority following GDM diagnosis to optimize pregnancy outcomes and improve maternal postnatal glucose homeostasis. The period after diagnosis of GDM (often 28 weeks gestation) is not too late to offer lifestyle advice or intervention to improve weight management and pregnancy outcomes.

Lessons learned from lifestyle prevention trials in gestational diabetes mellitus

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with an increased risk of adverse outcomes for mother and infant both at birth and later in life. A large body of evidence is now available relating to antenatal prevention of GDM. Overall, despite some individual trials of a variety of lifestyle interventions revealing benefit, many more have shown no effect from the second trimester onwards, even with significant gestational weight gain limitation. At-risk women often seem reluctant to engage in lifestyle changes and frequently cannot adhere to recommended interventions even within a clinical trial setting. Many trials have not considered the heterogeneity of diabetes first discovered in pregnancy, something of importance into the future. Future work should focus on designing interventions acceptable to the population at risk, whether those taking place before or during the first trimester of pregnancy are effective, and whether greater individualization can identify those women most likely to benefit.

Factors influencing the adoption of health promoting behaviors in overweight pregnant women: a qualitative study

Background

The ability to adopt and implement health promotion behaviors is one of the most important determinants of health status. Various factors affect the successful changing of behaviors and choosing a healthy lifestyle. The present study aims at exploring the experiences of overweight pregnant women in terms of the factors influencing selection and adoption of health promoting behaviors during pregnancy.

Methods

This qualitative study reports the findings of individual and group in-depth interviews with 32 overweight pregnant women using semi-structured questions which was conducted in Tabriz-Iran in 2017 and lasted for 6 months. The data collection continued until the saturation of the data. Participants were selected using purposive sampling and study inclusion criteria. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Thereafter, content analysis was made using MAXQDA v. 10. Strength of data was verified by both participants and external control.

Results

The reported effective factors led to identification of the two themes of two contextual perceived barriers and facilitators, which were classified into four main categories and nine subcategories: 1. Individual barriers (disabilities-additional needs in pregnancy and mental barriers) 2. Socio- environmental barriers (adverse effects of the environment, adverse effects of the relatives and financial pressures) 3. Individual facilitators (intrinsic incentives, abundance and individual skills) 4. Socio- environmental (social and family support, incentive environments, and raising awareness).

Conclusion

The adoption of health behaviors and healthy lifestyle is under the mutual influence of individual characteristics and socio-environmental factors. What should be considered in planning and designing interventions is focused on removing barriers and strengthening facilitators, in particular by moderating social factors and taking into account individual needs and personal expectations.

Nutrition During Pregnancy, Lactation and Early Childhood and its Implications for Maternal and Long-Term Child Health: The Early Nutrition Project Recommendations

BACKGROUND

A considerable body of evidence accumulated especially during the last decade, demonstrating that early nutrition and lifestyle have long-term effects on later health and disease ("developmental or metabolic programming").

METHODS

Researchers involved in the European Union funded international EarlyNutrition research project consolidated the scientific evidence base and existing recommendations to formulate consensus recommendations on nutrition and lifestyle before and during pregnancy, during infancy and early childhood that take long-term health impact into account. Systematic reviews were performed on published dietary guidelines, standards and recommendations, with special attention to long-term health consequences. In addition, systematic reviews of published systematic reviews on nutritional interventions or exposures in pregnancy and in infants and young children aged up to 3 years that describe effects on subsequent overweight, obesity and body composition were performed. Experts developed consensus recommendations incorporating the wide-ranging expertise from additional 33 stakeholders.

FINDINGS

Most current recommendations for pregnant women, particularly obese women, and for young children do not take long-term health consequences of early nutrition into account, although the available evidence for relevant consequences of lifestyle, diet and growth patterns in early life on later health and disease risk is strong.

INTERPRETATION

We present updated recommendations for optimized nutrition before and during pregnancy, during lactation, infancy and toddlerhood, with special reference to later health outcomes. These recommendations are developed for affluent populations, such as women and children in Europe, and should contribute to the primary prevention of obesity and associated non-communicable diseases.

The effect of a lifestyle intervention in obese pregnant women on gestational metabolic profiles: findings from the UK Pregnancies Better Eating and Activity Trial (UPBEAT) randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Pregnancy is associated with widespread change in metabolism, which may be more marked in obese women. Whether lifestyle interventions in obese pregnant women improve pregnancy metabolic profiles remains unknown. Our objectives were to determine the magnitude of change in metabolic measures during obese pregnancy, to indirectly compare these to similar profiles in a general pregnant population, and to determine the impact of a lifestyle intervention on change in metabolic measures in obese pregnant women.

METHODS

Data from a randomised controlled trial of 1158 obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) pregnant women recruited from six UK inner-city obstetric departments were used. Women were randomised to either the UPBEAT intervention, a tailored complex lifestyle intervention focused on improving diet and physical activity, or standard antenatal care (control group). UPBEAT has been shown to improve diet and physical activity during pregnancy and up to 6-months postnatally in obese women and to reduce offspring adiposity at 6-months; it did not affect risk of gestational diabetes (the primary outcome). Change in the concentrations of 158 metabolic measures (129 lipids, 9 glycerides and phospholipids, and 20 low-molecular weight metabolites), quantified three times during pregnancy, were compared using multilevel models. The role of chance was assessed with a false discovery rate of 5% adjusted p values.

RESULTS

All very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) particles increased by 1.5-3 standard deviation units (SD) whereas intermediate density lipoprotein and specific (large, medium and small) LDL particles increased by 1-2 SD, between 16 and 36 weeks' gestation. Triglycerides increased by 2-3 SD, with more modest changes in other metabolites. Indirect comparisons suggest that the magnitudes of change across pregnancy in these obese women were 2- to 3-fold larger than in unselected women (n = 4260 in cross-sectional and 583 in longitudinal analyses) from an independent, previously published, study. The intervention reduced the rate of increase in extremely large, very large, large and medium VLDL particles, particularly those containing triglycerides.

CONCLUSION

There are marked changes in lipids and lipoproteins and more modest changes in other metabolites across pregnancy in obese women, with some evidence that this is more marked than in unselected pregnant women. The UPBEAT lifestyle intervention may contribute to a healthier metabolic profile in obese pregnant women, but our results require replication.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

UPBEAT was registered with Current Controlled Trials, ISRCTN89971375 , on July 23, 2008 (prior to recruitment).