A web-based lifestyle intervention for women with recent gestational diabetes mellitus: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective: To test the feasibility and effectiveness of a Web-based lifestyle intervention based on the Diabetes Prevention Program modified for women with recent gestational diabetes mellitus to reduce postpartum weight retention.

Methods: We randomly allocated 75 women with recent gestational diabetes mellitus to either a Web-based lifestyle program (Balance after Baby) delivered over the first postpartum year or to a control group. Primary outcomes were change in body weight at 12 months from 1) first postpartum measured weight; and 2) self-reported prepregnancy weight.

Results: There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between groups including age, body mass index, race, and income status. Women assigned to the Balance after Baby program (n=36, three lost to follow-up) lost a mean of 2.8 kg (95% confidence interval -4.8 to -0.7) from 6 weeks to 12 months postpartum, whereas the control group (n=39, one lost to follow-up) gained a mean of 0.5 kg (-1.4 to +2.4) (P=.022). Women in the intervention were closer to prepregnancy weight at 12 months postpartum (mean change -0.7 kg; -3.5 to +2.2) compared with women in the control arm (+4.0 kg; +1.3 to +6.8) (P=.035).

Conclusion: A Web-based lifestyle modification program for women with recent gestational diabetes mellitus decreased postpartum weight retention.

Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01158131.

Level of evidence: I.

Conflict of interest statement

Financial Disclosure: The authors did not report any potential conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1

Screening, recruitment, and follow up for the Balance after Baby study.

Figure 2

A. Mean weight change (±SEM) from 6 weeks postpartum to 6 months and 12 months postpartum, in the intervention arm and control arm, controlling for baseline weight. B. Mean weight change (±SEM) at 12 months postpartum compared with pre-pregnancy weight, controlling for gestational weight gain.