An intervention aimed at the prevention of excessive weight gain during pregnancy

ISRCTN ISRCTN85313483
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN85313483
Secondary identifying numbers NTR32
Submission date
16/05/2005
Registration date
16/05/2005
Last edited
21/02/2013
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Pregnancy and Childbirth
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Not provided at time of registration

Contact information

Dr Mireille NM van Poppel
Scientific

Afdeling Sociale Geneeskunde/EMGO Instituut
Van der Boechorststraat 7
Amsterdam
1081 BT
Netherlands

Phone +31 (0)20 444 82 03
Email mnm.vanpoppel@vumc.nl

Study information

Study designRandomised controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Not specified
Study typePrevention
Scientific title
Study acronymNew Life(style)
Study objectivesWeight gain during pregnancy is the most important determinant of postpartum weight retention. In this study, the effect of an individually tailored intervention program is assessed on weight gain during pregnancy. The main focus of this program is to help women to gain weight within guidelines for weight development during pregnancy, which are developed by the Institute of Medicine (IOM). We expect that gaining weight within the guidelines has a positive effect on weight retention postpartum.
Ethics approval(s)The Medical Ethics Committee of VU University Medical Centre has approved the study design, protocols and informed consent procedure.
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedWeight-gain during pregnancy
InterventionThe women will be randomly assigned to either the control group or the intervention group, and the women in the intervention group will receive advice on physical activity and diet during and after pregnancy.
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measureAn assistant will perform the anthropometrical measurements and collect the blood samples at 15, 25 and 35 weeks of pregnancy and at 7, 25 and 51 weeks after delivery in the midwife practice to measure the following outcome measures:
1. Weight and body mass index (BMI) change
2. Height, measured in bare feet with a portable height scale with a wide measuring slide and a heel plate

Both weight and height will be measured twice, and the mean value of the two measurements will be computed. Calibrated scales are used to determine weight while participants are only wearing light clothing (e.g. underwear) and no shoes.
Secondary outcome measures1. Percentage body fat (sum of four skinfolds): a Harpenden calliper is used to assess percentage body fat. Percentage body fat is determined by measuring the sum of the thickness of four skinfolds: biceps, triceps, subscapular and suprailiac according to the method described by Weiner and Lourie. During pregnancy the suprailliac skinfold measurement won't be executed. Therefore, the thigh skinfold is also measured on all occasions. All skinfolds will be assessed twice. A mean value of the two will be computed. In case the two measurements of a skinfold differ more than 10%, the skinfold will be measured a third time. Also the circumference of arm and thigh will be measured.
2. Change in physical activity and dietary intake: physical activity will be assessed with the Short Questionnaire to Assess Health enhancing physical activity (SQUASH). At 15 and 35 weeks of pregnancy and 26 weeks after delivery all participants will wear an (blinded) accelerometer for three consecutive days to gather additional data on the levels of physical activity. The focus of dietary intake will be on fat, fruit and vegetable intake. These questionnaires have been validated.
3. Blood samples: in order to study the influence of lifestyle factors on energy homeostasis and weight gain, blood samples will be taken from the participants. Women will be asked for blood samples at 15, 25 and 35 weeks of pregnancy and at seven, 25 and 51 weeks after delivery. If women refuse, they can still join the study. The midwives will take a blood sample from the umbilical cord. Collecting blood for routine test and the study will be combined as much as possible in order to limit the number of venapunctures for the participants. Blood levels of leptin, ghrelin, fasting insulin/glucose, insulin growth factor one, insulin growth factor binding protein one and three, and cortisol will be measured. Analyses will take place at the laboratory of the VU University Medical Centre.
4. Data (questionnaires) will also be collected on: perceived health, stage of change (for weight management, physical activity and diet according to the model of Prochaska), self efficacy (concerning weight management, physical activity and eating habits), the duration and complications of labour, and complications during pregnancy such as gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, pregnancy related hypertension, pelvic pain. Possible confounders that will also be assessed by questionnaires include smoking behaviour, certain demographics (age [at menarche], education, family income, ethnicity, marital status, etc) and health conditions.
Overall study start date01/01/2005
Completion date31/12/2007

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
SexFemale
Target number of participants300 (150 in each group)
Key inclusion criteria1. Healthy women who are approximately seven months pregnant with their first child (nullipara)
2. Visit the midwife within 14 weeks after the start of their last menstrual period
3. Pregnant for the first time
Key exclusion criteria1. Those who are directly referred to a gynaecologist because of complications
2. Unable to read/write or communicate in Dutch
Date of first enrolment01/01/2005
Date of final enrolment31/12/2007

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Netherlands

Study participating centre

Afdeling Sociale Geneeskunde/EMGO Instituut
Amsterdam
1081 BT
Netherlands

Sponsor information

Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development (ZonMw)
Research organisation

Laan van Nieuw Oost Indië 334
PO Box 93 245
The Hague
2509 AE
Netherlands

Phone +31 (0)70 349 5111
Email info@zonmw.nl
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/01yaj9a77

Funders

Funder type

Research organisation

The Netherlands Organisation for Health Research and Development (ZonMw) (The Netherlands) (ref: project 4010.0017)

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
Publication and dissemination planNot provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Protocol article protocol 26/06/2006 Yes No
Results article results 01/01/2013 Yes No