Lifestyle Interventions in Overweight and Obese Postpartum Women

The Effects of Exercise and Dietary Interventions in Overweight and Obese Postpartum Women on Weight Management and Health.

The current study aims to investigate the effects of a chosen technology-based exercise or healthy eating intervention that combines individual and group-based support, on weight loss and other health-related parameters in postpartum women with overweight or obesity. All participants will be asked to engage in a 20-week programme consisting of a 4 week tracked free living period followed by a 16-week intervention. The investigators hypothesise that reductions in BMI (body mass index) and improvements in health-related parameters will be observed post-intervention.

The current study will investigate the effects of a chosen exercise or dietary intervention on BMI and other health-related parameters in postpartum women with overweight and obesity. Dietary or physical activity interventions, alone or combined, are associated with greater weight loss when provided to women in the postpartum period, compared with no intervention. Providing a combined physical activity and dietary intervention is associated with an average weight loss of 2.49kg post-intervention and 2.4kg 12 months after pregnancy. However, the variation in average weight loss achieved is great which could be due to differences in the design of lifestyle programmes.

Interventions including individualised support and self-monitoring have proven more effective in promoting reductions in BMI in postpartum women. However, high levels of attrition and poor engagement have been highlighted as two areas that require attention in this area. Therefore, future research is required to identify strategies best suited to the design and implementation of effective lifestyle interventions in overweight and obese postpartum women.

Women between six weeks and one year postpartum will elect to be part of either a 16-week exercise or dietary intervention. Prior to this, participants will be tracked for a period of four weeks in free living conditions. Each intervention will be split into four blocks of three weeks where staged intervention specific information will be provided. Individualised face-to-face and technological group support will be provided throughout. For the final four weeks of the intervention no new information will be provided and all support will be withdrawn.

Analyses of body composition and girths, blood metabolites, resting heart rate, blood pressure, and questionnaires assessing physical activity, eating behaviours and quality of life will be carried out alongside assessments of BMI at baseline, pre-intervention and at both twelve and sixteen weeks of the intervention. Measures of BMI, resting heart rate, blood pressure and questionnaire scores will be taken at each three weekly stage of the intervention.

Inclusion Criteria:

Be at least 18 years old at the date of their first visit. Have a body mass index (BMI) of greater than 25 kg∙m2 (this will be worked out by the researchers using the participant's height and body weight). Have had a singleton pregnancy. Have had one pregnancy to date. Be 6 weeks-1 year postpartum (and had physician's approval to return to exercise).

Own a smartphone (able to download and use WhatsApp). In the researcher's opinion, the participant is able and willing to follow all trial requirements.

Exclusion Criteria:

Have a clinical diagnosis of depression/postnatal depression. Currently enrolled on another weight loss programme. Currently consuming weight loss tablets/supplements. Have heart/liver/chronic renal disease. Have a clinical diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Consume excessive amounts of alcohol (regularly drinking more than 14 units of alcohol a week). Actively trying for another baby/planning a pregnancy in the next 6 months. Experienced a stillbirth. Have any health conditions that affect physical activity engagement. On any medication that affects the ability to exercise. On any medication that affects the ability to follow a healthy eating programme.