Maternal-Offspring Metabolics:Family Intervention Trial (MOMFIT)

The prevalence of maternal overweight and obesity has nearly doubled in the United States since 1976. In 2004-2005, 42% of pregnant women had body mass index (BMI) above 25 versus 23% in 1993. Most American women are overweight/ obese (OW/OB) at conception, especially within certain racial, ethnic, and lower socioeconomic groups leading to increased adverse maternal and birth outcomes. This study will recruit, randomize and test in 300 ethnically diverse OW/OB pregnant women a behavioral intervention aimed at controlling gestational weight gain (GWG) through recommended diet, activity and lifestyle changes that are to be maintained postpartum. Outcomes include anthropometric (height, weight, percent body fat) metabolic (blood pressure, fasting glucose, insulin, HbA1c, lipids and C-reactive protein) and behavioral measures (diet. physical activity, sleep and stress). In addition, babies will be measured for length, weight and percent body fat. The goal is to limit excessive gestational weight gain through improved maternal lifestyle that can be maintained and modelled for the family post partum and beyond.

A Randomized Control Trial is planned among ethnically diverse OW/OB pregnant women ages 18-45 years to be randomly assigned to the MOMFIT Active Intervention Group (AIG) or the Educational Control Group (ECG) plus standard obstetrical care. The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, along with moderate physical activity and group intervention as utilized in the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), will be adapted for pregnant and postpartum women through individual visits to tailor calorie/nutrient/activity goals, plus group coaching sessions and electronic self-monitoring behavior. Evidence based motivational interviewing and state of the art self-monitoring tools involving the LoseIt app will be adapted for pregnant/postpartum women via smartphone or Internet access, along with tailored feedback and encouragement from the Lifestyle Coach. Prevention of excessive GWG and achievement of the Institute Of Medicine (IOM) weight gain goals will be compared between groups, whether ongoing adherence to the lifestyle interventions can be sustained through postpartum intervention. Approximately one third of the participants are expected to be minorities and/or from low income backgrounds. The primary outcome is gestational weight gain from baseline (self-reported prepregnancy weight) to near delivery (36 weeks) compared with IOM goals in both groups and postpartum weight retention between 6 weeks and 12 months postpartum. Additional outcome variables include changes in maternal Body Mass Index (BMI) and adiposity postpartum, blood pressure, blood glucose, insulin, Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), C-reactive Protein (CRP), and lipids, diet quality, and physical activity levels, offspring adiposity and anthropometrics, and glucose and C-peptide in cord blood

Mom and family continue their typical eating, activity and other lifestyle habits for 24 months. They are invited to attend quarterly classes addressing prenatal wellness and family topics.

Women in the Intervention group will participate in a lifestyle program based on Moms'adopting a healthier diet and becoming more active for 24 months. Implementation is at approximately 15 weeks.Moms will meet individually with their Lifestyle Coach (LC)at least 3 times(more as needed, attend six sessions during pregnancy and one session after delivery. In addition moms will participate in monthly phone counseling sessions with Lifestyle Coach and complete daily tracking of diet & activity and use of pedometer

Moms will meet individually with their Lifestyle Coach (LC)at least 3 times(more as needed, attend six sessions during pregnancy and one session after delivery. In addition moms will participate in monthly phone counseling sessions with Lifestyle Coach and complete daily tracking of diet & activity and use of pedometer

Mom and family continue their typical eating, activity and other lifestyle habits for 24 months. They are invited to attend quarterly classes addressing prenatal wellness and family topics.

The primary outcome is GWG as assessed continuously by the difference between the maternal weight measured at the baseline and at the 35-37 week visit.

Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) will be administered at 24-26wks, as part of routine obstetric visit. Difference in incidence of Gestational diabetes between study groups will be documented.

Insulin resistance will be measured with the assistance of a computer program (HOMA Calculator v2.2.3, Diabetic Trial Unit, University of Oxford) which uses blood Glucose and Insulin measures to yield the Homeostatic Model Assessment (HOMA) Steady State beta cell function (%B). 100% is set at normal reference. Should not be interpreted alone, but in combination with Insulin Sensitivity (%S).

Insulin resistance will be measured with the assistance of a computer program which will yield the Homeostatic Model Assessment (HOMA) Insulin Sensitivity (%S). 100% is equivalent to the normal reference, but needs to be interpreted in context of %B.

Insulin resistance will be measured with the assistance of a computer program (HOMA Calculator v2.2.3, Diabetic Trial Unit, University of Oxford) which uses blood Glucose and Insulin measures to yield the Homeostatic Model Assessment (HOMA) Insulin Resistance. HOMA IR (insulin resistance) is the reciprocal of insulin sensitivity (%S), as a percentage of a normal reference population (100/%S); Lower IR is better. Note: estimates are model-derived, and not linear approximations.

Inclusion Criteria: Age 18-45 years Singleton viable pregnancy. A twin pregnancy reduced to singleton before 14 weeks by project gestational age. An ultrasound must be conducted before randomization that shows a fetal heartbeat; there should be no evidence of more than one fetus on the most recent pre-randomization ultrasound. Gestational age at randomization no earlier than 9 weeks 0 days and no later than 15 weeks 6 days based on an algorithm (see Section 3.4.3 below) that compares the last menstrual period (LMP) date and data from the earliest ultrasound Body mass index between 25-35 kg/m2 based on first trimester measured weight and on measured height. The earliest weight measurement before randomization, measured specifically for the study will be used. Exclusion Criteria: In vitro fertilization (IVF) conception/ovulation induction w/ gonadotropins Weight gain of >15 pounds from reported prepregnancy weight to Baseline visit Current smoker Prior bariatric surgery In weight loss program w/in 3 months of conception History of alcohol or drug abuse within 5 years No access to internet and/or smartphone Unable to attend intervention/follow-up visits Unwilling/unable to commit to self-monitoring data collection Unable to complete intervention program Presence of any condition that limits walking or following diet recommendations Not fluent in English

Redman LM, Drews KL, Klein S, Horn LV, Wing RR, Pi-Sunyer X, Evans M, Joshipura K, Arteaga SS, Cahill AG, Clifton RG, Couch KA, Franks PW, Gallagher D, Haire-Joshu D, Martin CK, Peaceman AM, Phelan S, Thom EA, Yanovski SZ, Knowler WC; LIFE-Moms Research Group. Attenuated early pregnancy weight gain by prenatal lifestyle interventions does not prevent gestational diabetes in the LIFE-Moms consortium. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2021 Jan;171:108549. doi: 10.1016/j.diabres.2020.108549. Epub 2020 Nov 22.

Van Horn L, Peaceman A, Kwasny M, Vincent E, Fought A, Josefson J, Spring B, Neff LM, Gernhofer N. Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension Diet and Activity to Limit Gestational Weight: Maternal Offspring Metabolics Family Intervention Trial, a Technology Enhanced Randomized Trial. Am J Prev Med. 2018 Nov;55(5):603-614. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2018.06.015. Epub 2018 Sep 24.

Peaceman AM, Clifton RG, Phelan S, Gallagher D, Evans M, Redman LM, Knowler WC, Joshipura K, Haire-Joshu D, Yanovski SZ, Couch KA, Drews KL, Franks PW, Klein S, Martin CK, Pi-Sunyer X, Thom EA, Van Horn L, Wing RR, Cahill AG; LIFE-Moms Research Group. Lifestyle Interventions Limit Gestational Weight Gain in Women with Overweight or Obesity: LIFE-Moms Prospective Meta-Analysis. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2018 Sep;26(9):1396-1404. doi: 10.1002/oby.22250. Epub 2018 Sep 6.

Clifton RG, Evans M, Cahill AG, Franks PW, Gallagher D, Phelan S, Pomeroy J, Redman LM, Van Horn L; LIFE-Moms Research Group. Design of lifestyle intervention trials to prevent excessive gestational weight gain in women with overweight or obesity. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2016 Feb;24(2):305-13. doi: 10.1002/oby.21330. Epub 2015 Dec 26.