Study of Antenatal Care Intervention Directed to Pregnant Women With Obesity

Obesity Complicating Childbirth

obesity, pregnancy, lifestyle, gestational weight gain, weight of offspring, antenatal care, health behavior, physical activity, diet, programme evaluation, costs and costs analysis

The purpose of this study is to determine whether a behavioural intervention focusing on diet and physical activity is cost-effective in decreasing weight gain during pregnancy among pregnant women with body mass index above 30, and has effect on the weight of offspring at birth and at 2.5 years of age

Obesity in relation to pregnancy is becoming an increasing public health issue and 48% of women assigned to antenatal care in Sweden have overweight (BMI≥25) or obesity (BMI≥30). Obesity is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes, the risks increase with increasing BMI and excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) further increases the risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Lifestyle intervention can help pregnant women with obesity to limit their GWG. This study evaluated whether a low-budget antenatal lifestyle intervention programme, with emphasis on nutrition and physical activity, influenced GWG and maternal and perinatal outcomes for pregnant women with obesity. The study also evaluated which specific components of the intervention that had effect.

Sweden