Postpartum lifestyle, weight and body composition

In Flanders, Belgium, one in three pregnant women has an excessive gestational weight gain. Half of these women does not return to their pre-pregnancy weight after delivery, i.e. postpartum weight retention, which can lead to overweight or obesity. Overweight and obesity are determinants for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. Moreover, 42% of the women with an excessive gestational weight gain will have one of the four most important pregnancy- and birth related complications during their next pregnancy: pregnancy induced hypertension, gestational diabetes, caesarean section, or a large for gestational age infant. The INTER-ACT study aims to a healthy lifestyle and a healthy BMI for women who had an excessive gestational weight gain. This is done by intervening during the postpartum period of a pregnancy, which at the same time forms the preconception period of a future pregnancy. Therewith, the study also aims for a reduction of pregnancy- and birth related complications in future pregnancies. INTER-ACT combines face-to-face coaching with a smartphone application. The face-to-face coaching sessions contain motivational conversation techniques as well as behaviour change methods with the aim of acquiring a healthy lifestyle. The smartphone application is connected to a scale and an activity tracker in order to monitor weight and physical activity. Besides, the application monitors eating behaviour and mental wellbeing, and provides continuous coaching by sending positive coaching messages to the participant. The effects of the intervention will be evaluated in a randomised controlled trial with 1100 participants. The intervention group (550 participants) and control group (550 participants) will be compared on weight and body composition evolution, eating behaviour, food intake, physical activity, and psychosocial factors. The baseline measurement takes place 6 weeks postpartum, the follow-up measurements take place 6 moths postpartum and every 6 months until the next pregnancy.