Citation

Østbye T, Krause KM, Lovelady CA, Morey MC, Bastian LA, Peterson BL, Swamy GK, Brouwer RJ, McBride CM. Am. J. Prev. Med. 2009; 37(3): 173-180.

Affiliation

Department of Community and Family Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA. truls.ostbye@duke.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.amepre.2009.05.016

PMID

19595557

PMCID

PMC2774935

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy may contribute to overweight and obesity.

PURPOSE: The primary objective of Active Mothers Postpartum was to promote a reduction in BMI through 24-months postpartum via sustainable lifestyle changes.

DESIGN: Behavioral intervention RCT to enhance postpartum weight loss. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS: A total of 450 overweight or obese women, enrolled 6-weeks postpartum, were recruited through obstetrics clinics and community posters in the Durham NC area. INTERVENTION: Intervention participants were offered eight healthy-eating classes, ten physical-activity classes, and six telephone-counseling sessions over 9 months. ... Given the intervention's strong emphasis on walking, a sport stroller was provided to encourage walking for exercise outside of class and after the end of the intervention. The stroller was introduced approximately halfway through ... MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes from baseline (6-weeks postpartum) to 1-month post-intervention (12-months postpartum) in: (1) diet (caloric intake, calories from fat, intake of certain foods); (2) physical activity (self-reported physical activity, television time); and (3) weight (collected 2004-2007, analyzed 2007-2008).

RESULTS: Mean weight loss was 0.90 kg (+/-5.1 kg) in the intervention group and 0.36 kg (+/-4.9 kg) in the control group; this difference was not significant. There were also no significant group differences in improvement of diet or increased physical activity. In secondary analyses, there was a positive bivariate relationship between classes attended and weight loss (p=0.01).

CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences among the arms in diet, physical activity, or weight change. Home-based interventions via mail, telephone, or Internet/e-mail may be more feasible and successful in this population. The postpartum period is an important phase in women's lives with regard to weight retention, but engaging them during this busy period remains a challenge. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT00212251.

Language: en