Delivering a Postpartum Weight Loss Intervention via Facebook or In-Person Groups: Results From a Randomized Pilot Feasibility Trial.
Publication/Presentation Date
4-27-2023
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Postpartum weight retention contributes to weight gain and obesity. Remotely delivered lifestyle interventions may be able to overcome barriers to attending in-person programs during this life phase.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to conduct a randomized feasibility pilot trial of a 6-month postpartum weight loss intervention delivered via Facebook or in-person groups. Feasibility outcomes were recruitment, sustained participation, contamination, retention, and feasibility of study procedures. Percent weight loss at 6 and 12 months were exploratory outcomes.
METHODS: Women with overweight or obesity who were 8 weeks to 12 months post partum were randomized to receive a 6-month behavioral weight loss intervention based on the Diabetes Prevention Program lifestyle intervention via Facebook or in-person groups. Participants completed assessments at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. Sustained participation was defined by intervention meeting attendance or visible engagement in the Facebook group. We calculated percent weight change for participants who provided weight at each follow-up.
RESULTS: Among individuals not interested in the study, 68.6% (72/105) were not interested in or could not attend in-person meetings and 2.9% (3/105) were not interested in the Facebook condition. Among individuals excluded at screening, 18.5% (36/195) were ineligible owing to reasons related to the in-person condition, 12.3% (24/195) related to the Facebook condition, and 2.6% (5/195) were unwilling to be randomized. Randomized participants (n=62) were a median of 6.1 (IQR 3.1-8.3) months post partum, with a median BMI of 31.7 (IQR 28.2-37.4) kg/m
CONCLUSIONS: Barriers to attending in-person meetings hampered recruitment efforts and intervention participation. Although women found the Facebook group convenient and stayed engaged in the group, weight loss appeared lower. Research is needed to further develop care models for postpartum weight loss that balance accessibility with efficacy.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03700736; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03700736.
Volume
11
First Page
41545
Last Page
41545
ISSN
2291-5222
Published In/Presented At
Waring, M. E., Pagoto, S. L., Moore Simas, T. A., Blackman Carr, L. T., Eamiello, M. L., Libby, B. A., Rudin, L. R., & Heersping, G. E. (2023). Delivering a Postpartum Weight Loss Intervention via Facebook or In-Person Groups: Results From a Randomized Pilot Feasibility Trial. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 11, e41545. https://doi.org/10.2196/41545
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
PubMedID
37103991
Department(s)
Medical Education
Document Type
Article