Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 23, 2026

Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants
Published on: June 13, 2021
Ripple Effect of Lifestyle Interventions During Pregnancy on Untreated Partners' Weight
Todd A Hagobian1,2, Suzanne Phelan1,2, Andrew Schaffner2,3
1Department of Kinesiology and Public Health, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California, USA.
Objective:
Weight-loss interventions have a positive "ripple effect" on untreated partners' weight, but ripple effects in pregnancy are unknown. The objective of this study was to determine whether prenatal lifestyle interventions that reduce gestational weight gain in pregnant women have a positive ripple effect on untreated partners' weight.
Methods:
Two clinical trials with the same outcome measures randomly assigned pregnant women to a lifestyle intervention or usual care. Untreated partners were randomly assigned according to their pregnant partner's group allocation and were assessed at study entry (~13 weeks' gestation), 35 weeks' gestation, and 6 and 12 months after delivery.
Results:
A total of 122 partners (100% male, 23% Hispanic, 82% married, and 48% with obesity) were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 59) or usual care (n = 63). There was no intervention or intervention-by-time interaction effect on partner weight (P = 0.795). Partner weight changes were not statistically significant (P = 0.120) from study entry to 35 weeks' gestation (mean 0.19 kg; 95% CI: -0.73 to 1.24) or to 12 months after delivery (mean 0.82 kg; 95% CI: -0.26 to 1.91).
Conclusions:
There was no evidence of a ripple effect on partner weight. In a self-selected sample, partners of pregnant women appeared not to experience sympathy weight gain.
Related Concept Videos
Regression Toward the Mean
Obesity
Hypertension IV: Drug Therapy and Lifestyle Modifications
Atherosclerosis III: Management
Lifestyle Factors and Health
Benefits of Physical Activity
Physical activity, whether through structured exercise or casual activities like walking, biking, or dancing, is a cornerstone of a...
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV

