A Physical Activity intervention in pregnant women.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A physical activity intervention in pregnant women to aid weight management during pregnancy.
IRAS ID
145009
Contact name
Margaret Cupples
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queen's University Belfast
Research summary
The prevalence of maternal obesity in pregnancy is rising and the adverse outcomes for both mother and baby are well documented. The NICE 2010 Guidelines regarding weight management before, during and after pregnancy highlighted a need for research to evaluate the most effective ways of helping women to manage their weight during pregnancy. The purpose of this research is to develop a physical activity intervention that will help reduce gestational weight gain and increase physical activity levels in women during their pregnancy. This feasibility study will take the form of a randomised control trial at six GP practices. Women with a BMI of 18.5-39.5 will be identified at booking and offered an information leaflet about the trial and a consent form for permission to be contacted in one week’s time to determine their willingness to participate in the study. The aim is for 30 participants, 15 in each arm randomised to either control or intervention groups. The physical activity intervention will take the form of a counselling session with behavioural modification and advice about using a pedometer to monitor step-count activity over the following 12 weeks, with telephone contact support from a trainee general practitioner. Accelerometers will be used to record step-count activity over one week at baseline and after 12 weeks (approximately 29 weeks gestation) and weight will be recorded at these time-points. A physical activity questionnaire will be completed at 14 weeks gestation and 29 weeks gestation in both groups. Accelometer data with focus on step count activity and weight will also be recorded for the aforementioned intervals and also at each antenatal visit with the midwife. A questionnaire is planned to gain feedback on the intervention and to discuss perceived barriers to increasing physical activity during pregnancy.
REC name
HSC REC A
REC reference
14/NI/1014
Date of REC Opinion
8 Jul 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion