Lifestyle information and commercial weight management groups to support maternal postnatal weight management and positive lifestyle behaviour: the SWAN feasibility randomised controlled trial

Citation

Bick D, Taylor C, Bhavnani V, Healey A, Seed P, Roberts S, Zasada M, Avery A, Craig V, Khazaezadah N, McMullen S, O’Connor S, Oki B, Oteng Ntim E, Poston L & Ussher M (2020) Lifestyle information and commercial weight management groups to support maternal postnatal weight management and positive lifestyle behaviour: the SWAN feasibility randomised controlled trial. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 127 (5), pp. 636-645. https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.16043

Abstract
Objectives: To assess feasibility of a future randomised controlled trial (RCT) of clinical and cost-effectiveness of lifestyle information and commercial weight-management groups to support postnatal weight management to 12 months post-birth. Design: Two-arm feasibility trial, with nested mixed-methods process evaluation. Setting: Inner-city unit, South England. Population: Women with BMIs ≥25kg/m2 at pregnancy booking or normal BMIs (18.5kg/m2-24.9kg/m2) identified with excessive gestational weight gain at 36 weeks gestation. Methods: Randomised to standard care plus commercial weight-management sessions commencing 8-16 weeks postnatally or standard care only. Main outcomes: Feasibility outcomes included assessment of recruitment, retention, acceptability, and economic data collation. Primary and secondary endpoints included difference between groups in weight 12 months postnatally compared with booking (proposed primary outcome for a future trial), diet, physical activity, smoking, alcohol, mental health, infant feeding, NHS resource use. Results: 193 women were randomised; 98 intervention and 95 control; only four women had excessive gestational weight gain. A slightly greater weight change was found among intervention women at 12 months, with greatest benefit. among women attending 10+ weight management sessions. There was >80% follow-up to 12 months, low risk of contamination and no group differences in trial completion. Conclusion: It was feasible to recruit and retain women with BMIs≥25kg/m2 to an intervention to support postnatal weight management; identification of excessive gestational weight gain requires consideration. Economic modelling could inform out-of-trial costs and benefits in a future trial. A definitive trial is an important next step.

Keywords
Postnatal; weight management; randomised controlled trial; feasibility

Journal
BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology: Volume 127, Issue 5

People

Professor Michael Ussher

Professor of Behavioural Medicine, Institute for Social Marketing