Meal Delivery for Postpartum Weight Management

Overseen By Camille S Worthington, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Female

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Alabama at Birmingham

Must not be taking: Weight loss drugs

Disqualifiers: Diabetes, Cancer, Renal disease, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 8 weeks

11 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial excludes participants who are currently using medication expected to significantly impact body weight, so you may need to stop such medications to participate.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Meal Delivery for postpartum weight management?

Research shows that postpartum lifestyle interventions, including meal replacements, can help women return to their pre-pregnancy weight and reduce weight retention. Women prefer flexible, low-intensity programs that offer practical strategies and support from health professionals, which can improve engagement and effectiveness. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is meal delivery for postpartum weight management safe for humans?

The research does not provide specific safety data on meal delivery for postpartum weight management, but meal replacements have been studied during pregnancy without reported safety concerns. ^{2 3 6 7 8}

How does the meal delivery treatment for postpartum weight management differ from other treatments?

The meal delivery treatment for postpartum weight management is unique because it provides pre-prepared meals, which can simplify healthy eating and portion control for new mothers. This approach differs from other treatments that may focus on self-prepared meals or general dietary advice, offering a more convenient and structured way to manage weight during the postpartum period. ^{1 2 9 10 11}

What is the purpose of this trial?

This study is being done to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a meal delivery intervention among low-income postpartum women with obesity.

Research Team

Camille S Worthington, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for low-income postpartum women with obesity who are 18 or older, have had a healthy single baby recently, and live where meal delivery is available. They should not be on weight-impacting meds, involved in other diet studies, or have severe mental health issues.

Inclusion Criteria

Initiated prenatal care at a University of Alabama at Birmingham prenatal clinic

Body mass index >= 30 at enrollment

Willing to consent

Exclusion Criteria

Participation in another dietary and/or weight management intervention postpartum

I have been diagnosed with anorexia or bulimia.

I have a major health condition like kidney disease, cancer, or diabetes.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive 10 home-delivered meals per week for 8 weeks as part of a meal delivery intervention program

8 weeks

Weekly meal deliveries

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in weight, self-efficacy, food security, perceived stress, and diet satisfaction

8 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Meal Delivery

Trial Overview The study tests if delivering meals to new moms with obesity is practical and well-received. It's focused on those who've just given birth and meet specific income criteria.

Participant Groups

Group I: Meal Delivery Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Meal delivery intervention program designed to help low income postpartum women lose weight through weekly meal delivery and behavioral strategies.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,677

Recruited

2,458,000+

National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)

Collaborator

Trials

473

Recruited

1,374,000+

Findings from Research

A randomized trial involving 264 women with overweight or obesity found that a prenatal behavioral intervention using meal replacements did not significantly help women return to their prepregnancy weight or reduce postpartum weight retention after 12 months.

Despite the intervention reducing excess gestational weight gain, it did not lead to lasting changes in weight control behaviors after delivery, indicating that simply reducing weight gain during pregnancy may not be enough to prevent postpartum weight retention.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Does Partial Meal Replacement During Pregnancy Reduce 12-Month Postpartum Weight Retention? Phelan, S., Wing, RR., Brannen, A., et al.[2021]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Interventions for weight management in postpartum women. [2016]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Does Partial Meal Replacement During Pregnancy Reduce 12-Month Postpartum Weight Retention? [2021]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Lessons learned from the mothers' overweight management study in 4 West Virginia WIC offices. [2022]

4. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Postpartum Women's Preferences for Lifestyle Intervention after Childbirth: A Multi-Methods Study Using the TIDieR Checklist. [2022]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effect of an Internet-Based Program on Weight Loss for Low-Income Postpartum Women: A Randomized Clinical Trial. [2022]

6. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Weight management in postpartum women - An Indian perspective. [2022]

7. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Feasibility of a Digital Intervention to Promote Healthy Weight Management among Postpartum African American/Black Women. [2022]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exploring Healthy Eating and Exercise Behaviors Among Low-Income Breastfeeding Mothers. [2020]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Stages of change in the trajectory of postpartum weight self-management. [2018]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Integrating Obstetrical Care and WIC Nutritional Services to Address Maternal Obesity and Postpartum Weight Retention. [2018]

11. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Weight-management interventions for pregnant or postpartum women. [2022]