The effects of dietary and lifestyle interventions among pregnant women with overweight or obesity on early childhood outcomes: An individual participant data meta-analysis from randomised trials

Jennie Louise, Amanda J Poprzeczny, Andrea R Deussen, Christina Vinter, Mette Tanvig, Dorte Møller Jensen, Annick Bogaerts, Roland Devlieger, Fionnuala M McAuliffe, Kristina Martha Renault, Emma Carlsen, Nina Geiker, Lucilla Poston, Annette Briley, Shakila Thangaratinam, Jodie M Dodd*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

38 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

Background: The impact of maternal obesity extends beyond birth, being independently associated with an increased risk of child obesity. Current evidence demonstrates that women provided with a dietary intervention during pregnancy improve their dietary quality and have a modest reduction in gestational weight gain. However, the effect of this on longer-term childhood obesity-related outcomes is unknown. 

Methods: We conducted an individual participant data meta-analysis from RCTs in which women with a singleton, live gestation between 10+0 and 20+0 weeks and body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2 in early pregnancy were randomised to a diet and/or lifestyle intervention or continued standard antenatal care and in which longer-term maternal and child follow-up at 3–5 years of age had been undertaken. The primary childhood outcome was BMI z-score above the 90th percentile. Secondary childhood outcomes included skinfold thickness measurements and body circumferences, fat-free mass, dietary and physical activity patterns, blood pressure, and neurodevelopment. 

Results: Seven primary trials where follow-up of participants occurred were identified by a systematic literature search within the International Weight Management in Pregnancy (i-WIP) Collaborative Group collaboration, with six providing individual participant data. No additional studies were identified after a systematic literature search. A total of 2529 children and 2383 women contributed data. Approximately 30% of all child participants had a BMI z-score above the 90th percentile, with no significant difference between the intervention and control groups (aRR 0.97; 95% CI 0.87, 1.08; p=0.610). There were no statistically significant differences identified for any of the secondary outcome measures. 

Conclusions: In overweight and obese pregnant women, we found no evidence that maternal dietary and/or lifestyle intervention during pregnancy modifies the risk of early childhood obesity. Future research may need to target the pre-conception period in women and early childhood interventions. 

Trial registration: PROSPERO, CRD42016047165

Original languageEnglish
Article number128
JournalB M C Medicine
Volume19
Number of pages15
ISSN1741-7015
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021, The Author(s).

Keywords

  • Child follow-up of pregnancy intervention studies
  • Childhood obesity
  • Individual participant data meta-analysis

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