An interim analysis of a gestational weight gain intervention in military personnel and other TRICARE beneficiaries

• Published in: Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.) Md.), 2022-10, Vol.30 (10), p.1951-1962
• Main Authors: Estevez Burns, Rosemary, Hare, Marion E., Andres, Aline, Klesges, Robert C., Talcott, Gerald Wayne, LeRoy, Karen, Little, Melissa A., Hyrshko‐Mullen, Ann, Waters, Teresa M., Harvey, Jean R., Bursac, Zoran, Krukowski, Rebecca A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Body Mass Index; Diabetes; Exercise; Female; Gastrointestinal surgery; Gestational Weight Gain; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Intervention; Lifestyles; Military exercises; Military Personnel; Obesity; Obstetrics; Original; ORIGINAL ARTICLES; Overweight; Overweight - prevention & control; Pandemics; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications - prevention & control; Retention; Weight control; Weight Gain; Womens health
• ISSN: 1930-7381; 1930-739X; 1930-739X
• DOI: 10.1002/oby.23523

Objective Despite military fitness regulations, women in the military frequently experience overweight/obesity, excessive gestational weight gain (GWG), and the postpartum implications. This interim analysis of the Moms Fit 2 Fight study examines GWG outcomes among active‐duty personnel and other TRICARE beneficiaries who received a stepped‐care GWG intervention compared with those who did not receive a GWG intervention. Method Participants (N = 430; 32% identified with an underrepresented racial group, 47% were active duty) were randomized to receive a GWG intervention or the comparison condition, which did not receive a GWG intervention. Results Retention was 88% at 32 to 36 weeks' gestation. Participants who received the GWG intervention gained less weight compared with those who did not (mean [SD] = 10.38 [4.58] vs. 11.80 [4.87] kg, p = 0.0056). Participants who received the intervention were less likely to have excessive GWG compared with those who did not (54.6% vs. 66.7%, p = 0.0241). The intervention effects were significant for participants who identified as White, but not for those of other racial identities. There were no significant differences between the conditions in maternal/neonatal outcomes. Conclusions The intervention successfully reduced excessive GWG, particularly among participants who identified as White. Should this intervention be found cost‐effective, it may be sustainably integrated throughout the military prenatal care system.