Health in Preconception, Pregnancy and Postpartum Global Alliance: International Network Pregnancy Priorities for the Prevention of Maternal Obesity and Related Pregnancy and Long-Term Complications

A Theoretical Exploration of Artificial Intelligence's Impact on Feto-Maternal Health from Conception to Delivery

The implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare is enhancing diagnostic accuracy in clinical setups. The use of AI in healthcare is steadily increasing with advancing technology, extending beyond disease diagnosis to encompass roles in feto-maternal health. AI harnesses Machine Learning (ML), Natural Language Processing (NLP), Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), and computer vision to analyze data and draw conclusions. Considering maternal health, ML analyzes vast datasets to predict maternal and fetal health outcomes, while NLP interprets medical texts and patient records to assist in diagnosis and treatment decisions. ANN models identify patterns in complex feto-maternal medical data, aiding in risk assessment and intervention planning whereas, computer vision enables the analysis of medical images for early detection of feto-maternal complications. AI facilitates early pregnancy detection, genetic screening, and continuous monitoring of maternal health parameters, providing real-time alerts for deviations, while also playing a crucial role in the early detection of fetal abnormalities through enhanced ultrasound imaging, contributing to informed decision-making. This review investigates into the application of AI, particularly through predictive models, in addressing the monitoring of feto-maternal health. Additionally, it examines potential future directions and challenges associated with these applications.

A Scoping Review of Barriers and Facilitators for Preconception Care: Lessons for Global Health Policies and Programs

Preconception care (PCC) encompasses a set of actions taken before pregnancy to support the health and well-being of women before conception to improve maternal and child health (MCH) outcomes. The utilization of PCC services is influenced by multifaceted factors that can either enable or impede women's capacity to access and utilize them effectively. This scoping review examines the barriers and facilitators influencing the utilization of PCC services among women of reproductive age (15-49 years) at both individual and community levels. Through an extensive review of published articles from 2004 to 2021, including peer-reviewed sources, barriers and facilitators were identified. At the individual level, barriers included limited knowledge about PCC, neglect of self-health, and financial constraints. Community-level barriers encompassed insufficient supply of supplements, restricted access to health care, high health care costs, and setbacks due to delayed delivery of MCH services. Conversely, individuals reported that credible sources of information, such as friends, family, and community health volunteers, facilitated their engagement with PCC services. At the community level, facilitators included government-regulated supply chains for supplements and the involvement of community workers in health monitoring. Understanding and addressing these factors can help improve the utilization of PCC services among women of reproductive age (WRA) and improve MCH outcomes.

A retrospective comparative study of antenatal healthy lifestyle service interventions for women with a raised body mass index

BACKGROUND

Women with obesity are more likely to gain excessive gestational weight; with both obesity and excessive weight gain linked to adverse outcomes for mothers and their infant. Provision of antenatal healthy lifestyle services is currently variable, with uncertainty over the most effective gestational healthy lifestyle interventions.

AIM

To compare pregnancy and birth outcomes among women who experienced an antenatal health lifestyle service with a cohort who did not receive this service.

METHODS

A retrospective comparative cohort study was undertaken in women with a BMI ≥ 40 kg/m² attending maternity care in two NHS Trusts. One Trust provided an antenatal healthy lifestyle service, while the comparison Trust provided routine maternity care. Data was collected from medical records.

FINDINGS

No differences were observed between the antenatal healthy lifestyle service and comparison cohorts for average gestational weight gain [adjusted mean difference (aMD) - 0.70 kg (95%CI -2.33, 0.93)], rate of weight gain [aMD - 0.02 kg/week (95%CI -0.08, 0.04)] or weight gain in accordance with recommendations. The proportion of women breastfeeding at discharge was higher for the antenatal healthy lifestyle service than the comparison cohort (42.4% vs 29.8%). No other clinical outcomes were enhanced with the antenatal healthy lifestyle service.

CONCLUSION

Internal audit had suggested the antenatal healthy lifestyle service was successful at managing gestational weight gain in women with a BMI ≥ 40 kg/m². However, no benefit on gestational weight gain was evident once the service was evaluated against a comparison cohort with adequate adjustment for confounders. It is essential that future services are evaluated against a relevant comparison group.

Understanding the pathway between work and health outcomes for women during the preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum periods through the framing of maternal obesity

The link between work and health outcomes for preconception, pregnant, and postpartum (PPP) working women is complex. Further, innovation and enhanced understanding are required to address the work-related determinants of maternal obesity. However, workplace health promotion is not typically systems-based nor attuned to the specific needs and context of individual PPP women. We propose that to improve health outcomes for PPP women, we must understand the pathways between paid work and health for the individual woman by taking a systems-thinking approach. In this paper, we (a) outline the rationale for why the oversimplification or "dilution" of individual context may occur; (b) present a systems-informed pathway model (the "Context-Exposure-Response" Model) and overview of potential work-related impacts on health and wellbeing outcomes for PPP women using maternal obesity to provide context examples; (c) further investigate the role of motivational factors from a systems perspective; and (d) briefly examine the implications for policy, practice, and intervention design. It is anticipated that this research may act as a starting point to assist program developers, researchers, and policymakers to adopt a systems-focused perspective while contributing to the health improvement and obesity prevention of PPP women.

App-Supported Lifestyle Interventions in Pregnancy to Manage Gestational Weight Gain and Prevent Gestational Diabetes: Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

Excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are common pregnancy complications that have been shown to be preventable through the use of lifestyle interventions. However, a significant gap exists between research on pregnancy lifestyle interventions and translation into clinical practice. App-supported interventions might aid in overcoming previous implementation barriers. The current status in this emerging research area is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

This scoping review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of planned, ongoing, and completed studies on eHealth and mobile health (mHealth) app-supported lifestyle interventions in pregnancy to manage GWG and prevent GDM. The review assesses the scope of the literature in the field; describes the population, intervention, control, outcomes, and study design (PICOS) characteristics of included studies as well as the findings on GWG and GDM outcomes; and examines app functionalities.

METHODS

The scoping review was conducted according to a preregistered protocol and followed established frameworks. Four electronic databases and 2 clinical trial registers were systematically searched. All randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of app-supported lifestyle interventions in pregnancy and related qualitative and quantitative research across the different study phases were considered for inclusion. Eligible studies and reports of studies were included until June 2022. Extracted data were compiled in descriptive analyses and reported in narrative, tabular, and graphical formats.

RESULTS

This review included 97 reports from 43 lifestyle intervention studies. The number of published reports has steadily increased in recent years; of the 97 included reports, 38 (39%) were trial register entries. Of the 39 identified RCTs, 10 efficacy or effectiveness trials and 8 pilot trials had published results on GWG (18/39, 46%); of these 18 trials, 7 (39%) trials observed significant intervention effects on GWG outcomes. Of all 39 RCTs, 5 (13%) efficacy or effectiveness trials reported GDM results, but none observed significant intervention effects on GDM. The RCTs included in the review were heterogeneous in terms of their PICOS characteristics. Most of the RCTs were conducted in high-income countries, included women with overweight or obesity and from all BMI categories, delivered multicomponent interventions, delivered interventions during pregnancy only, and focused on diet and physical activity. The apps used in the studies were mostly mHealth apps that included features for self-monitoring, feedback, goal setting, prompts, and educational content. Self-monitoring was often supported by wearable activity monitors and Bluetooth-connected weight scales.

CONCLUSIONS

Research in this field is nascent, and the effectiveness and implementability of app-supported interventions have yet to be determined. The complexity and heterogeneity of intervention approaches pose challenges in identifying the most beneficial app features and intervention components and call for consistent and comprehensive intervention and outcome reporting.

In praise of ovulation induction for the management of anovulatory subfertility

Rapid advances in assisted reproductive technology have revolutionized fertility treatments for couples worldwide seeking a pregnancy. Although this is promising, concerns are emerging over the overuse of unnecessary assisted conception treatments, particularly among couples with anovulatory subfertility. Some experts are calling for the cessation of ovulation induction as the primary treatment of anovulatory subfertility in favour of more sophisticated assisted conception treatments. In the absence of other causes of subfertility, ovulation induction in patients with type 1 and type 2 anovulation disorders can achieve an up to 80% ovulation rate with a 40% cumulative pregnancy rate and few adverse effects. Considering the various risks and high costs associated with assisted reproductive technology treatments, it is hard to argue for their cost-effectiveness when simpler, safer and cheaper pharmacological ovulation induction could achieve comparable pregnancy rates. We argue here for the safe, effective and ethical use of ovulation induction in this population, supplemented by a judicious use of assisted conception treatments. We emphasize the essential role of ovulation induction as a first-line intervention for couples with anovulatory subfertility delivered within a patient-centred multidisciplinary care model and with a clear escalation pathway to use assisted reproductive technology treatments based on the person's response, characteristics and treatment preference.

Key Components of Antenatal Lifestyle Interventions to Optimize Gestational Weight Gain: Secondary Analysis of a Systematic Review

Importance

Randomized clinical trials have found that antenatal lifestyle interventions optimize gestational weight gain (GWG) and pregnancy outcomes. However, key components of successful interventions for implementation have not been systematically identified.

Objective

To evaluate intervention components using the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) framework to inform implementation of antenatal lifestyle interventions in routine antenatal care.

Data Sources

Included studies were drawn from a recently published systematic review on the efficacy of antenatal lifestyle interventions for optimizing GWG. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Health Technology Assessment Database, MEDLINE, and Embase were searched from January 1990 to May 2020.

Study Selection

Randomized clinical trials examining efficacy of antenatal lifestyle interventions in optimizing GWG were included.

Data Extraction and Synthesis

Random effects meta-analyses were used to evaluate the association of intervention characteristics with efficacy of antenatal lifestyle interventions in optimizing GWG. The results are reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses reporting guideline. Data extraction was performed by 2 independent reviewers.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The main outcome was mean GWG. Measures included characteristics of antenatal lifestyle interventions comprising domains related to theoretical framework, material, procedure, facilitator (allied health staff, medical staff, or researcher), delivery format (individual or group), mode, location, gestational age at commencement (<20 wk or ≥20 wk), number of sessions (low [1-5 sessions], moderate [6-20 sessions], and high [≥21 sessions]), duration (low [1-12 wk], moderate [13-20 wk], and high [≥21 wk]), tailoring, attrition, and adherence. For all mean differences (MDs), the reference group was the control group (ie, usual care).

Results

Overall, 99 studies with 34 546 pregnant individuals were included with differential effective intervention components found according to intervention type. Broadly, interventions delivered by an allied health professional were associated with a greater decrease in GWG compared with those delivered by other facilitators (MD, -1.36 kg; 95% CI, -1.71 to -1.02 kg; P < .001). Compared with corresponding subgroups, dietary interventions with an individual delivery format (MD, -3.91 kg; 95% CI -5.82 to -2.01 kg; P = .002) and moderate number of sessions (MD, -4.35 kg; 95% CI -5.80 to -2.89 kg; P < .001) were associated with the greatest decrease in GWG. Physical activity and mixed behavioral interventions had attenuated associations with GWG. These interventions may benefit from an earlier commencement and a longer duration for more effective optimization of GWG.

Conclusions and Relevance

These findings suggest that pragmatic research may be needed to test and evaluate effective intervention components to inform implementation of interventions in routine antenatal care for broad public health benefit.

Evidence of lifestyle interventions in a pregnant population with chronic hypertension and/or pre-existing diabetes: A systematic review and narrative synthesis

BACKGROUND

Pregnant people with chronic hypertension, pre-existing diabetes or both are at high risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Lifestyle interventions play an important role in disease management in non-pregnant populations.

AIM

To review the existing evidence of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that examine lifestyle interventions in pregnant people with chronic hypertension and/or pre-existing diabetes.

METHODS

A systematic review and narrative synthesis was conducted. Five electronic databases were searched from inception to April 2021 for RCTs evaluating antenatal lifestyle interventions in people with chronic hypertension and/or pre-existing diabetes with outcomes to include weight or blood pressure change.

RESULTS

Nine randomised controlled trials including 7438 pregnant women were eligible. Eight studies were mixed pregnant populations that included women with chronic hypertension and/or pre-existing diabetes. One study included only pregnant women with pre-existing diabetes. Intervention characteristics and procedures varied and targeted diet, physical activity and/or gestational weight. All studies reported weight and one study reported blood pressure change. Outcome data were frequently unavailable for the subset of women of interest, including subgroup data on important pregnancy and birth complications. Eligibility criteria were often ambiguous and baseline data on chronic hypertension was often omitted.

CONCLUSION

A lack of primary interventional trials examining the effect of lifestyle interventions on weight and blood pressure outcomes in pregnant populations with chronic hypertension and/or pre-existing diabetes was evident. Lifestyle modification has the potential to alter disease progression. Future trials should address the ambiguity and frequent exclusion of these important populations.

Acceptability and feasibility of a planned preconception weight loss intervention in women with long-acting reversible contraception: the Plan-it mixed-methods study

BACKGROUND

Women with overweight (a body mass index of ≥ 25 kg/m²) or obesity (a body mass index of ≥ 30 kg/m²) are at greater risk of experiencing complications during pregnancy and labour than women with a healthy weight. Women who remove their long-acting reversible contraception (i.e. coils or implants) are one of the few groups of people who contact services as part of their preparation for conception, creating an opportunity to offer a weight loss intervention.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives were to understand if routine NHS data captured the pathway from long-acting reversible contraception removal to pregnancy and included body mass index; to identify the suitable components of a preconception weight loss intervention; and to engage with key stakeholders to determine the acceptability and feasibility of asking women with overweight/obesity to delay the removal of their long-acting reversible contraception in order to take part in a preconception weight loss intervention.

DESIGN

This was a preparatory mixed-methods study, assessing the acceptability and feasibility of a potential intervention, using routine NHS data and purposefully collected qualitative data.

PARTICIPANTS

The NHS routine data included all women with a long-acting reversible contraception code. There were three groups of participants in the surveys and interviews: health-care practitioners who remove long-acting reversible contraception; weight management consultants; and women of reproductive age with experience of overweight/obesity and of using long-acting reversible contraception.

SETTING

UK-based health-care practitioners recruited at professional meetings; and weight management consultants and contraceptive users recruited via social media.

DATA SOURCES

Anonymised routine data from UK sexual health clinics and the Clinical Practice Research Datalink, including the Pregnancy Register; and online surveys and qualitative interviews with stakeholders.

RESULTS

The records of 2,632,871 women aged 16-48 years showed that 318,040 had at least one long-acting reversible contraception event, with 62% of records including a body mass index. Given the identified limitations of the routine NHS data sets, it would not be feasible to reliably identify women with overweight/obesity who request a long-acting reversible contraception removal with an intention to become pregnant. Online surveys were completed by 100 health-care practitioners, four weight management consultants and 243 contraceptive users. Ten health-care practitioners and 20 long-acting reversible contraception users completed qualitative interviews. A realist-informed approach generated a hypothesised programme theory. The combination of weight discussions and the delay of long-acting reversible contraception removal was unacceptable as an intervention to contraceptive users for ethical and practical reasons. However, a preconception health intervention incorporating weight loss could be acceptable, and one potential programme is outlined.

LIMITATIONS

There was very limited engagement with weight management consultants, and the sample of participating stakeholders may not be representative.

CONCLUSIONS

An intervention that asks women to delay long-acting reversible contraception removal to participate in a preconception weight loss intervention would be neither feasible nor acceptable. A preconception health programme, including weight management, would be welcomed but requires risk communication training of health-care practitioners.

FUTURE WORK

Work to improve routine data sets, increase awareness of the importance of preconception health and overcome health-care practitioner barriers to discussing weight as part of preconception care is a priority.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This trial is registered as ISRCTN14733020.

FUNDING

This project was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme and will be published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 27, No. 1.

Lifestyle interventions to reduce endocrine-disrupting phthalate and phenol exposures among reproductive age men and women: A review and future steps

Non-persistent endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), including phthalates and phenols, are ubiquitous in both the environment and human body. A growing body of epidemiologic studies have identified concerning links between EDCs and adverse reproductive and developmental health effects. Despite consistent evidence, risk assessments and policy interventions often arrive late. This presents an urgent need to identify evidence-based interventions for implementation at both clinical and community levels to reduce EDC exposure, especially in susceptible populations. The reproductive life cycle (menarche to menopause for females and after pubertal onset for males) includes some of the most vulnerable periods to environmental exposures, such as the preconception and perinatal stages, representing a key window of opportunity to intervene and prevent unfavorable health outcomes. This review aims to synthesize and assess behavioral, dietary, and residential EDC-driven interventions to develop recommendations for subsequent, larger-scale studies that address knowledge-gaps in current interventions during the reproductive life cycle. We selected 21 primary interventions for evaluation, in addition to four supplemental interventions. Among these, accessible (web-based) educational resources, targeted replacement of (known) toxic products, and personalization of the intervention through meetings and support groups, were the most promising strategies for reducing EDC concentrations. However, we document a paucity of interventions to prevent phthalate and phenol exposures during the reproductive years, especially among men. Accordingly, we recommend additional, larger clinical and community-based intervention studies to reduce EDC exposure. Specifically, future intervention studies should focus on short-term, mid-, and long-term exposure reduction to phthalates and phenols. The latter, especially, is required for the development of clinical and public health guidelines to promote reproductive and developmental health globally.

Lifestyle Interventions to Improve Pregnancy Outcomes: a Systematic Review and Specified Meta-Analyses

To compare the impact of lifestyle interventions for overweight and obese pregnant women a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted using pre-registration and audit of the interventions as selection criteria. PubMed, Web of Science and CENTRAL were searched for randomized controlled trials examining diet, exercise, combined interventions or associated behavioral therapy. Trials were selected if they reported one of the primary outcomes (gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders, perinatal mortality, admission to neonatal intensive care unit). Results were established from the total group and separately from pre-registered or clinically audited studies. Out of 1304 titles, 28 randomized controlled trials were included. Among the primary outcomes only hypertensive disorders were significantly reduced by exercise in the total group: odds ratio 0.52 (95% confidence interval 0.28 to 0.96, four trials, 1324 participants). When behavioral therapy supported combined interventions, maternal weight gain, (Standardized Mean Difference -0.16 kilogram; 95% confidence interval -0.28 to -0.04, four trials, 2132 participants) and neonatal birthweight, (Standardized Mean Difference -0.4 gram; 95% confidence interval -0.62 to -0.18, five trials, 1058 participants), were significantly reduced within the total group and both specified meta-analyses. Higher frequencies of physical activity improved the results. Risk of bias, assessed with the Cochrane Tool, was low to moderate. Elements of behavioral therapy might better prevent adverse effects of maternal obesity when combined with lifestyle interventions. Unfortunately, high heterogeneity due to different intervention and population characteristics was a limiting factor. Future studies should also focus on increased intensities of physical activity.

Implementation of Antenatal Lifestyle Interventions Into Routine Care: Secondary Analysis of a Systematic Review

IMPORTANCE

Lifestyle interventions in pregnancy optimize gestational weight gain and improve pregnancy outcomes, with implementation recommended by the US Preventive Services Task Force. Yet, implementation research taking these efficacy trials into pragmatic translation remains limited.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate success factors for implementing pregnancy lifestyle interventions into antenatal care settings in a meta-analysis, using the penetration, implementation, participation, and effectiveness (PIPE) impact metric.

DATA SOURCES

Data from a previous systematic review that searched across 9 databases, including MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Health Technology Assessment Database, were obtained, in 2 stages, up to May 6, 2020.

STUDY SELECTION

Randomized clinical trials reporting gestational weight gain in singleton pregnancies.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

The association of penetration, implementation, and participation with effectiveness of antenatal lifestyle interventions in optimizing gestational weight gain was estimated using random-effects meta-analyses. The Cochrane risk of bias tool, version 1.0, was used to assess risk of bias.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Penetration (reach), implementation (fidelity), participation, and effectiveness of randomized clinical trials of lifestyle interventions in pregnancy.

RESULTS

Ninety-nine studies with 34 546 participants were included. Only 14 studies reported penetration of target populations. Overall, 38 studies (38.4%) had moderate fidelity, 25 (25.2%) had high fidelity, and 36 (36.4%) had unclear fidelity. Participation was reported in 84 studies (84.8%). Lifestyle interventions were associated with reducing gestational weight gain by 1.15 kg (95% CI, -1.40 to -0.91 kg).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

The findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that, despite the large body of evidence on efficacy of lifestyle interventions during pregnancy in optimizing gestational weight gain, little guidance is available to inform implementation of this evidence into practice. There is a need to better elucidate implementation outcomes in trial design alongside pragmatic implementation research to improve the health of women who are pregnant and the next generation.

Setting Preconception Care Priorities in Australia Using a Delphi Technique

Preconception health affects fertility, pregnancy, and future health outcomes but public awareness of this is low. Our aims were to rank priorities for preconception care (PCC), develop strategies to address these priorities, and establish values to guide future work in preconception healthcare in Australia. A Delphi technique involved two rounds of online voting and mid-round workshops. Inputs were a scoping review of PCC guidelines, a priority setting framework and existing networks that focus on health. During July and August, 2021, 23 multidisciplinary experts in PCC or social care, including a consumer advocate, completed the Delphi technique. Ten priority areas were identified, with health behaviors, medical history, weight, and reproductive health ranked most highly. Six strategies were identified. Underpinning values encompassed engagement with stakeholders, a life course view of preconception health, an integrated multi-sectorial approach and a need for large scale collaboration to implement interventions that deliver impact across health care, social care, policy and population health. Priority populations were considered within the social determinants of health. Health behaviors, medical history, weight, and reproductive health were ranked highly as PCC priorities. Key strategies to address priorities should be implemented with consideration of values that improve the preconception health of all Australians.

Managing idiopathic intracranial hypertension in pregnancy: practical advice

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is more common in women of reproductive age who have obesity, yet there is little information on its management specifically in pregnancy. Women with IIH should plan their pregnancy including discussing contraception before pregnancy, recognising that hormonal contraceptives are not contraindicated. Potentially teratogenic medications including acetazolamide and topiramate are not recommended during pregnancy or in those with immediate plans to conceive; prescribing acetazolamide in pregnancy must only follow discussion with the patient and their obstetrician. Ideally, patients should aim to achieve disease remission or control before pregnancy, through optimising their weight. Although weight gain is expected in pregnancy, excessive weight gain may exacerbate IIH and increase maternal and fetal complications; evidence-based recommendations for non-IIH pregnancies may help in guiding optimal gestational weight gain. The vast majority of women with IIH can have a normal vaginal delivery, with spinal or epidural anaesthesia if needed, provided the papilloedema is stable or the IIH is in remission.

Efficacy of behavioral interventions in managing gestational weight gain (GWG): A component network meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To identify the most effective behavioral components within lifestyle interventions to optimize gestational weight gain (GWG) to inform guidelines, policy and translation into healthcare.

METHODS

Behavioral components were identified from study level data of randomized antenatal lifestyle interventions using a behavioral taxonomy framework and analyzed using component network meta-analysis (NMA). The NMA ranked behavioral combinations hierarchically by efficacy of optimizing GWG. Direct and estimated indirect comparisons between study arms (i.e., control and intervention) and between different component combinations were estimated to evaluate component combinations associated with greater efficacy.

RESULTS

Overall, 32 studies with 11,066 participants were included. Each intervention contained between 3 and 7 behavioral components with 26 different behavioral combinations identified. The majority (n = 24) of combinations were associated with optimizing GWG, with standard mean differences (SMD) ranging from -1.01 kg (95% CI -1.64 to -0.37) and -0.07 kg (-0.38 to 0.24), compared with controls. The behavioral cluster identified as most effective, included components of goals, feedback and monitoring, natural consequences, comparison of outcomes, and shaping knowledge (SMD -1.01 kg [95% CI -1.64 to -0.37]).

CONCLUSION

Findings support the application of goal setting, feedback and monitoring, natural consequences, comparison of outcomes, and shaping knowledge as essential, core components within lifestyle interventions to optimize gestational weight gain.

Association of Antenatal Diet and Physical Activity-Based Interventions With Gestational Weight Gain and Pregnancy Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

IMPORTANCE

Excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) is common and associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Antenatal lifestyle interventions limit GWG; yet benefits of different intervention types and specific maternal and neonatal outcomes are unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association of different types of diet and physical activity-based antenatal lifestyle interventions with GWG and maternal and neonatal outcomes.

DATA SOURCES

A 2-stage systematic literature search of MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Health Technology Assessment Database was conducted from February 1, 2017, to May 31, 2020. Search results from the present study were integrated with those from a previous systematic review from 1990 to February 2017.

STUDY SELECTION

Randomized trials reporting GWG and maternal and neonatal outcomes.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

Data were extracted for random-effects meta-analyses to calculate the summary effect estimates and 95% CIs.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

Outcomes were clinically prioritized, with mean GWG as the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, cesarean section, preterm delivery, large or small for gestational age neonates, neonatal intensive care unit admission, or fetal death.

RESULTS

A total of 117 randomized clinical trials of antenatal lifestyle interventions (involving 34 546 women) were included. Overall lifestyle intervention was associated with reduced GWG (-1.15 kg; 95% CI, -1.40 to -0.91), risk of gestational diabetes (odds ratio [OR], 0.79; 95% CI, 0.70-0.89), and total adverse maternal outcomes (OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.84-0.94) vs routine care. Compared with routine care, diet was associated with less GWG (-2.63 kg; 95% CI, -3.87 to -1.40) than physical activity (-1.04 kg; 95% CI, -1.33 to -0.74) or mixed interventions (eg, unstructured lifestyle support, written information with weight monitoring, or behavioral support alone) (-0.74 kg; 95% CI, -1.06 to -0.43). Diet was associated with reduced risk of gestational diabetes (OR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.45-0.82), preterm delivery (OR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.22-0.84), large for gestational age neonate (OR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.08-0.47), neonatal intensive care admission (OR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.48-0.95), and total adverse maternal (OR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.61-0.92) and neonatal outcomes (OR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.26-0.72). Physical activity was associated with reduced GWG and reduced risk of gestational diabetes (OR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.47-0.75), hypertensive disorders (OR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.48-0.90), cesarean section (OR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.75-0.95), and total adverse maternal outcomes (OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.71-0.86). Diet with physical activity was associated with reduced GWG (-1.35 kg; 95% CI, -1.95 to -0.75) and reduced risk of gestational diabetes (OR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.54-0.96) and total adverse maternal outcomes (OR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.69-0.95). Mixed interventions were associated with reduced GWG only.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

This systematic review and meta-analysis found level 1 evidence that antenatal structured diet and physical activity-based lifestyle interventions were associated with reduced GWG and lower risk of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. The findings support the implementation of such interventions in routine antenatal care and policy around the world.

Research priority setting in obesity: a systematic review

AIM

Obesity research priority setting, if conducted to a high standard, can help promote policy-relevant and efficient research. Therefore, there is a need to identify existing research priority setting studies conducted in the topic area of obesity and to determine the extent to which they followed good practice principles for research priority setting.

METHOD

Studies examining research priority setting in obesity were identified through searching the MEDLINE, PBSC, CINAHL, PsycINFO databases and the grey literature. The nine common themes of good practice in research priority setting were used as a methodological framework to evaluate the processes of the included studies. These were context, use of a comprehensive approach, inclusiveness, information gathering, planning for implementation, criteria, methods for deciding on priorities, evaluation and transparency.

RESULTS

Thirteen articles reporting research prioritisation exercises conducted in different areas of obesity research were included. All studies reported engaging with various stakeholders such as policy makers, researchers and healthcare professionals. Public involvement was included in six studies. Methods of research prioritisation commonly included both Delphi and nominal group techniques and surveys. None of the 13 studies fulfilled all nine of the good practice criteria for research priority setting, with the most common limitations including not using a comprehensive approach and lack of inclusivity and evaluating on their processes.

CONCLUSION

There is a need for research priority setting studies in obesity to involve the public and to evaluate their exercises to ensure they are of high quality.

Effective psychological therapies to improve lifestyle behaviors in (pre)pregnant women: A systematic review

Poor lifestyle behaviors impact (pre)pregnant women by affecting pregnancy outcomes and offspring health. This systematic review provides an overview of psychological therapies to support lifestyle behavior changes among (pre)pregnant women. Scientific databases were searched from their inception to 20 December 2020 for studies investigating the effects of psychological therapies on improvements in lifestyle behaviors. Studies were eligible if they included (pre)pregnant women, examined the effects of a psychological therapy on at least one lifestyle behavior and used a control group receiving usual pregnancy care or a non-psychological intervention. Lifestyle behaviors of interest were dietary intake, physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, drug use, body weight loss and body weight gain during pregnancy. Pregnancy complications were included as outcome measures. Motivational interviewing (MI) (n = 21), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) (n = 8), incentive-based contingency management (IBCM) (n = 9), mindfulness (n = 1) and hypnosis (n = 1) were investigated as lifestyle behavior interventions. The findings revealed that MI was effective in reducing (self-reported) smoking and alcohol consumption and restricting gestational weight gain (GWG). CBT was only studied as an intervention to restrict GWG and the results predominantly confirmed its effectiveness. IBCM showed the strongest effect on reducing smoking and substance use. The studies using hypnosis or mindfulness to reduce smoking or restrict GWG, respectively, showed no associations. The use of psychological therapies to improve lifestyle behaviors among (pre)pregnant women is new and the scientific proof is promising. Before wide implementation is legitimated, more evidence is needed on the consequences of lifestyle change for pregnancy outcomes.

Facilitators and barriers to behaviour change within a lifestyle program for women with obesity to prevent excess gestational weight gain: a mixed methods evaluation

Background

Maternal obesity is associated with health risks for women and their babies and is exacerbated by excess gestational weight gain. The aim of this study was to describe women’s experiences and perspectives in attending a Healthy Pregnancy Service designed to optimise healthy lifestyle and support recommended gestational weight gain for women with obesity.

Methods

An explanatory sequential mixed methods study design utilised two questionnaires (completed in early and late pregnancy) to quantify feelings, motivation and satisfaction with the service, followed by semi-structured interviews that explored barriers and enablers of behaviour change. Data were analysed separately and then interpreted together.

Results

Overall, 49 women attending the service completed either questionnaire 1, 2 or both and were included in the analysis. Fourteen women were interviewed. Prior to pregnancy, many women had gained weight and attempted to lose weight independently, and reported they were highly motivated to achieve a healthy lifestyle. During pregnancy, diet changes were reported as easier to make and sustain than exercise changes. Satisfaction with the service was high. Key factors identified in qualitative analysis were: service support enabled change; motivation to change behaviour, social support, barriers to making change (intrinsic, extrinsic and clinic-related), post-partum lifestyle and needs. On integration of data, qualitative and quantitative findings aligned.

Conclusions

The Healthy Pregnancy service was valued by women. Barriers and enablers to the delivery of an integrated model of maternity care that supported healthy lifestyle and recommended gestational weight gain were identified. These findings have informed and improved implementation and further scale up of this successful service model, integrating healthy lifestyle into routine antenatal care of women with obesity.

Trial registration

This trial is registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (no.12620000985987). Registration date 30/09/2020, retrospectively registered. http://www.anzctr.org.au/

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12884-021-04034-7.

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet during pregnancy is associated with lower odds of excessive gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention: results of the Mother-Infant Study Cohort

During the first 1000 d of life, gestational weight gain (GWG) and postpartum weight retention (PPWR) are considered critical determinants of nutritional status. This study examined the effect of adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) during pregnancy on GWG and PPWR at 2 and 6 months among women in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), using data from the Mother-Infant Study Cohort. The latter is a prospective study, for which pregnant women were recruited (n 243) during their third trimester and were followed up for 18 months. Data on socio-demographic characteristics and anthropometric measurements were obtained. An eighty-six-item FFQ was used to examine dietary intake during pregnancy. Adherence to the MD was assessed using the alternate MD (aMED) and the Lebanese MD (LMD). Adherence to the MD, PPWR2 (2 months) and PPWR6 (6 months) were considered high if participants belonged to the third tertile of the respective measures. Results indicated that 57·5 % of participants had excessive GWG while 50·7 % and 45 % retained ≥ 5 kg at 2 and 6 months postpartum, respectively. After adjustment, adherence to both MD scores was associated with lower odds of excessive GWG (aMED, OR:0·41, 95 % CI:0·18, 0·93; LMD, OR:0·40, 95 % CI: 0·16, 0·98). Adherence to MD was also associated with PPWR2 (aMED: OR: 0·23, 95 % CI: 0·06, 0·88) and PPWR6 (aMED OR:0·26; 95 % CI:0·08-0·86; LMD, OR:0·32; 95 % CI: 0·1, 0·98). The findings of this study showed that adherence to the MD may reduce GWG and PPWR and, hence, underscored the importance of promoting the MD for better health of the mother and infant.

A meta-review of systematic reviews of lifestyle interventions for reducing gestational weight gain in women with overweight or obesity

Women with overweight or obesity are twice as likely to gain excessive gestational weight than women of normal weight. Identifying effective interventions to support this group achieve healthy gestational weight gain is important. An overview of systematic reviews regarding the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions on gestational weight gain in women with overweight or obesity was undertaken, including searching eight electronic databases. Quality of included reviews was assessed by two independent researchers. A narrative data synthesis was undertaken, with subgroup and sensitivity analyses by type of intervention and quality of the included reviews. A total of 15 systematic reviews were included within this meta-review. A small reduction in gestational weight gain of between 0.3 and 2.4 kg was noted with lifestyle interventions compared with standard care. There was some evidence that dietary only or physical activity only interventions may reduce the odds of gestational diabetes. No differences were noted in the odds of other maternal or infant health outcomes. Although lifestyle interventions appeared to decrease gestational weight gain, current evidence does not show a clear benefit on maternal and infant outcomes from the small nature of the reduction in gestational weight gain produced by lifestyle interventions in women with overweight or obesity.

Maternal obesity prevention: The Health in Preconception, Pregnancy, and Postpartum Early- and Mid-Career Researcher Collective

There is a clear impetus for researchers to facilitate cross-sector and interdisciplinary collaboration to achieve collective action for maternal obesity prevention. Building early- and mid-career researchers' capacity to sustainably develop collective action into the future is key. Therefore, the national Health in Preconception, Pregnancy, and Postpartum Early- and Mid-career Researcher Collective (HiPPP EMR-C) was formed. Here, we describe the aim, key goals and future directions of the HiPPP EMR-C. Guided by the Simplified Framework for Understanding Collective Action, we aim to build our capacity as researchers, form policy stakeholder relationships and focus on generating impact to optimise maternal and child health and well-being.

ENDOCRINOLOGY IN THE TIME OF COVID-19: Diagnosis and management of gestational diabetes mellitus

The COVID-19 pandemic has required rapid transformation and adaptation of healthcare services. Women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are one of the largest high-risk groups accessing antenatal care. In reformulating the care offered to those with GDM, there is a need to balance the sometimes competing requirement of lowering the risk of direct viral transmission against the potential adverse impact of service changes. We suggest pragmatic options for screening of GDM in a pandemic setting based on blood tests, and risk calculators applied to underlying risk factors. Alternative models for antenatal care provision for women with GDM, including targeting high-risk groups, early lifestyle interventions and remote monitoring are provided. Testing options and their timing for postpartum screening in women who had GDM are also considered. Our suggestions are only applicable in a pandemic scenario, and usual guidelines and care pathways should be re-implemented as soon as possible and appropriate.