Supporting women with postnatal weight management
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN39186148 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN39186148 |
| Secondary identifying numbers | N/A |
- Submission date
- 01/02/2016
- Registration date
- 19/05/2016
- Last edited
- 14/06/2023
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Nutritional, Metabolic, Endocrine
Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
Many women are overweight or obese when they become pregnant, or gain more weight in their pregnancy than they need to. These women are more likely to suffer problems such as diabetes or high blood pressure, to need medical intervention during birth (such as a cesarean section) and are less likely to breastfeed. They are also more likely to have ongoing weight problems, increasing the risk of poor outcomes (such as miscarrying) in future pregnancies and of long term health conditions such a heart disease. Babies born to women who are overweight or obese are more likely to have heavier birth weight, birth defects, to be stillborn or to become obese themselves later in life. Women who live in disadvantaged communities are more likely to have weight management problems. Developing good quality postnatal advice about diet and lifestyle is an important way of supporting women and their families in these communities. However, it still is unclear how or when to engage women and how best to support them with weight management. This study is going to look at whether attending Slimming World groups, supported by good quality information on healthy lifestyles, could support women in a deprived inner city population to better manage their postnatal weight and to take up more positive health behaviours, such as breastfeeding, increasing physical activity and stopping smoking. The aim of this study is to find out whether running a large-scale study is feasible, by conducting a smaller scale study.
Who can participate?
Overweight or obese women who are 36 weeks pregnant with a single baby.
What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated to one of two groups, either the ‘weight management plus usual care’ group or the ‘usual care only’ group. Women allocated to the weight management group are offered advice on healthy lifestyles and are invited to start attending local weight management groups at any time from 8 weeks to 16 weeks after having their baby. They are invited to attend weekly groups over a total of 12 weeks, and can decide which group they wish to attend (for example based on its location in relation to their home) and the time of day it is held (for example an afternoon group or an early evening group). During this period, they also continue to receive any routine contacts with healthcare professionals for themselves and their baby. Women allocated to the ‘usual care only’ group continue to have any routine contacts with healthcare professionals for themselves and their baby only. At the first appointment with the Research Midwife, women are asked to complete a questionnaire on their current health. Six and twelve months after having their baby, women in both groups are asked to complete a questionnaire about their health and their baby’s health. Women are also weighed at these times. They may also be asked if they would be interested in taking part in a short interview with one of the researchers to discuss their experiences of weight management after having a baby.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
There are no guaranteed benefits of participating, although taking part may help women to lose weight and thus improve their health. The women who attend the weight groups during the study have the opportunity to continue to attend at a reduced fee should they wish to carry on. The women in the control group are offered the opportunity to join a Slimming World group on completing the study for a reduced fee. There are no notable risks of participating.
Where is the study run from?
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust (UK)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
December 2015 to November 2017
Who is funding the study?
National Institute for Health Research (UK)
Who is the main contact?
Prof. Debra Bick
debra.bick@kcl.ac.uk
Contact information
Scientific
Warwick Medical School
University of Warwick
Coventry
CV4 7AL
United Kingdom
 ORCID ID |
0000-0002-8557-7276 |
|---|---|
| debra.bick@warwick.ac.uk |
Study information
| Study design | Two arm single-centre feasibility randomised controlled trial |
|---|---|
| Primary study design | Interventional |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study setting(s) | Community |
| Study type | Other |
| Participant information sheet | Not available in web format, please use the contact details to request a patient information sheet |
| Scientific title | A two arm feasibility trial of lifestyle information and Slimming World groups to promote weight management and positive lifestyle behaviour in postnatal women from an ethnically diverse inner city population |
| Study acronym | The SWAN Feasibiity Trial |
| Study hypothesis | The aim of this study is to: 1. Assess recruitment, time to complete recruitment, retention rates and estimate effect sizes for a range of hypothesised outcomes to inform progression to a definitive RCT and appropriate trial design 2. Test acceptability of study procedures to women, including randomisation procedures 3. Estimate contamination between study arms 4. Consider women's experiences of the intervention and its acceptability 5. Conduct a preliminary economic evaluation |
| Ethics approval(s) | Ethics Committee: London Camberwell St Giles, 11/10/2016, REC ref: 16/LO/1422 |
| Condition | Obesity during pregnancy |
| Intervention | Participants are randomised to one of two groups in a 1:1 ratio using KCL’s Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) web-based system (www.ctu.co.uk). Control group: Women allocated to standard care will receive standard NHS maternity care to 8 weeks postnatal prior to discharge from maternity care. This could include, for example, routine midwifery and health visitor contacts for infant feeding assessment, monitoring of recovery from the birth, commencement of the infant immunisation programme, routine assessment as part of Healthy Child programme, parenting interventions and other contacts with the family as determined by need. Women will usually be offered a routine contact with their GP at around 6-8 weeks postnatally. We will ask all recruited women at their 6 and 12 month follow up about their experiences of using weight management groups or other sources of support for weight management, healthy lifestyle and activity. Intervention group: Women receive standard care, plus information on positive lifestyle behaviours from late pregnancy and access to a 12 week commercial weight management group (provided by Slimming World) commencing any time from 8 weeks up to 16 weeks postnatally. 1. Positive lifestyle information: As postnatal health planning should commence in pregnancy, an evidence-based positive lifestyle leaflet reflecting current NICE public health guidance for women on breastfeeding, diet, importance of smoking cessation/prevention of relapse, reducing alcohol and managing sleep will be offered following recruitment and allocation to the intervention at 36 weeks gestation. 2. Weight management intervention: The Research Midwife will contact women at 8 weeks postnatally to provide them with a dedicated Slimming World telephone number to call member services about commencing a local weight management group. The content of SW weight management group programmes is evidence based, with some evidence of effectiveness of attendance at commercial weight management groups in general population studies. The content is underpinned by behaviour change models, and groups are homogeneous with respect to content and delivery. Behaviour change techniques are supported by social cognitive theory, with a focus on motivation and self-efficacy for weight management and reducing relapse. Key techniques include goal setting, self-monitoring, recruiting social support, and positive reinforcement. Weight management groups are led by consultants who receive standardised training overseen by Slimming World dieticians and nutritionists which includes motivation to support positive lifestyle changes to manage weight, nutrition, food facts, and role of exercise and activity in health and weight management. Consultants repeat training every two years to remain up to date with latest evidence and attend a local programme of safeguarding training approved by the NHS. Groups follow a standard format, starting with a weigh in, new member chat and discussion of group member’s experiences of weight management to help change habits, share healthy swaps and discussions of what to eat. Sessions can include basic cooking skills, taking cost, cultural preferences and time constraints into account. A food optimising system encourages adherence to healthy eating and physical activity encouragement includes facilitation of behaviour change, redefining what ‘activity’ can include. Slimming World will record initial and ongoing adherence to the group programme and weekly weight. Members attend for 12 groups which run over 14 consecutive weeks to allow two ‘holiday’ weeks within the 12 group offer. Women from both groups will be asked to attend an appointment with the Research Midwife (which could take place at the study site or the woman’s home, according to the woman’s preference) at 6 and 12 months postnatally to be weighed. Women will be able to complete follow up questionnaires at these appointments if they would prefer to do so, or can complete and return by post. Travel costs and costs of a £10 Love2Shop voucher to thank women for their time to complete study questionnaires will be offered. |
| Intervention type | Behavioural |
| Primary outcome measure | Weight is measured at baseline (first antenatal appointment) and 12 months postnatally. |
| Secondary outcome measures | 1. Dietary intake is measured using The Dietary Instrument for Nutritional Education (DINE) at baseline (36 weeks gestation), and 6 and 12 months postnatally 2. Physical activity is measured using The International Physical Activity Short-Form’ at baseline (36 weeks gestation), and 6 and 12 months postnatally 3. Mental health is measured using Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale 6 and 12 months postnatally 4. Breastfeeding intent, uptake, and duration is measured using questions developed specifically for the study at baseline (36 weeks gestation), and 6 and 12 months postnatally 5. Sleep patterns are measured using using questions developed for the study 6 and 12 months postnatally 6. Smoking status/cigarette dependence is measured at baseline (36 weeks gestation), and 6 and 12 months postnatally 7. Alcohol consumption is measured using Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test at baseline (36 weeks gestation), and 6 and 12 months postnatally 8. Self-esteem is measured Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale 6 and 12 months postnatally 9. Infant health is measured questions specifically developed for the study 6 and 12 months postnatally 10. Impact on body image is measured 6 and 12 months postnatally 11. Resource utilisation and costs outcome measures are measured using the EQ-5D-5L and the Adult Service Use Schedule at baseline (36 weeks gestation), and 6 and 12 months postnatally |
| Overall study start date | 01/12/2015 |
| Overall study end date | 30/11/2018 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Healthy volunteer |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Sex | Female |
| Target number of participants | 190 |
| Total final enrolment | 193 |
| Participant inclusion criteria | 1. Women overweight (BMI 25–29.9 kg/m²) or obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m²) as identified as their first antenatal contact 2. Women with excessive GWG when weighed at 36 weeks gestation, as defined using IoM criteria at risk of postnatal weight retention 3. Aged 18 and over 4. Speak and read English 5. Are expecting a single baby 6. Have not accessed weight management groups in the index pregnancy |
| Participant exclusion criteria | 1. <18 years old 2. Insufficient understanding of spoken and written English 3. Current diagnosis of major psychiatric disorder documented 4. Fetus has known abnormality 5. Involvement in another postnatal study 6. Identified medical complications (for example cardiac disease, type 1 diabetes) 7. Identified eating disorders= 8. Previous surgery for weight management 9. Multiple pregnancy |
| Recruitment start date | 15/11/2016 |
| Recruitment end date | 30/06/2017 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- England
- United Kingdom
Study participating centre
London
SE1 7EH
United Kingdom
Sponsor information
University/education
Research Management Office
Room 1.8 Hodgkin Building
Guy's Campus
King's College London
London
SE1 4UL.
United Kingdom
| Website | www.kcl.ac.uk |
|---|---|
"ROR" |
https://ror.org/0220mzb33 |
Funders
Funder type
Government
Government organisation / National government
- Alternative name(s)
- National Institute for Health Research, NIHR Research, NIHRresearch, NIHR - National Institute for Health Research, NIHR (The National Institute for Health and Care Research), NIHR
- Location
- United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Intention to publish date | 31/03/2019 |
|---|---|
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
| IPD sharing plan summary | Data sharing statement to be made available at a later date |
| Publication and dissemination plan | 1. Planned publication of study protocol and results papers 2. Planned submission of abstracts for conference presentations including presentation at the Royal College of Midwives conference in 2017 and the British Maternal and Fetal Medicine Society conference in 2018 2019 results in University of Surrey report http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/852449/ |
| IPD sharing plan |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protocol article | protocol | 23/10/2019 | 04/11/2019 | Yes | No |
| Results article | results | 05/12/2019 | 10/08/2020 | Yes | No |
| Results article | 01/08/2020 | 14/06/2023 | Yes | No | |
| Results article | 21/07/2020 | 14/06/2023 | Yes | No | |
| HRA research summary | 28/06/2023 | No | No |
Editorial Notes
14/06/2023: Publication references added.
10/08/2020: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. Publication reference added.
2. The total final enrolment was added.
04/11/2019: Publication reference added.
03/09/2019: The following changes have been made:
1. The scientific contact's details have been changed.
2. A link to a non-peer-reviewed report has been added to the publication and dissemination plan.
13/11/2018: The overall trial end date was changed from 30/11/2017 to 30/11/2018.
04/10/2018: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. The recruitment start date was changed from 01/07/2016 to 15/11/2016.
2. The recruitment end date was changed from 31/12/2016 to 30/06/2017.
3. The intention to publish date was changed from 31/03/2018 to 31/03/2019.
31/08/2017: Ethics approval information added.
