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A pilot intervention to reduce postpartum weight retention and central adiposity in first‐time mothers: results from the mums OnLiNE (Online, Lifestyle, Nutrition & Exercise) study
Author(s) -
Pligt P.,
Ball K.,
Hesketh K. D.,
Teychenne M.,
Crawford D.,
Morgan P. J.,
Collins C. E.,
Campbell K. J.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of human nutrition and dietetics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.951
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1365-277X
pISSN - 0952-3871
DOI - 10.1111/jhn.12521
Subject(s) - medicine , waist , psychological intervention , physical therapy , obesity , logistic regression , screen time , randomized controlled trial , intervention (counseling) , weight loss , physical activity , calorie , gerontology , nursing
Background Postpartum weight retention ( PPWR ) increases the risk for obesity and complications during subsequent pregnancies. Few interventions have been successful in limiting PPWR in mothers. The present study assessed the effectiveness of the mums OnLi NE (Online, Lifestyle, Nutrition & Exercise) intervention with respect to reducing PPWR and improving diet, physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Methods A subsample of first‐time mothers enrolled in the Extended Melbourne Infant Feeding Activity and Nutrition Trial (In FANT Extend) completed the nonrandomised mums OnLi NE intervention. Women in the intervention (I) group ( n = 28) received access to an online calorie tracking program, smartphone app, three telephone counselling calls with a dietitian and written material. Women in two comparison groups ( CI and C2) ( n = 48; n = 43) were from the control (C1) and intervention (C2) arms of In FANT Extend and received no additional support. Weight and waist circumference were measured objectively. Written surveys assessed diet and physical activity. Sedentary behaviour was self‐reported. Linear and logistic regression assessed changes in outcomes between groups from 9 to 18 months postpartum. Results Mean PPWR decreased in the (I) group (−1.2 kg) and the C2 group (−1.2 kg), although the changes were not significant. Mean waist circumference for all groups exceeded recommendations at baseline but decreased to below recommendations for women in the (I) group (78.3 cm) and significantly for the (I) group (−6.4 cm) compared to C1 (−1.1 cm; P = 0.002) and C2 (−3.3 cm; P = 0.001). Changes in diet, physical activity or sedentary behaviour were not significant. Conclusions The online intervention reported in the present study shows promise with respect to reducing waist circumference in postpartum women. Further evidence of strategies that may improve weight and related behaviours in this target group is needed.