A theory-based mobile health application for gestational weight management: Protocol for a randomized controlled...

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Maternal Health
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Gestational weight gain (GWG) significantly impacts maternal and fetal health, with excessive gain linked to obesity.
• Current guidelines for GWG management are often challenging for pregnant individuals to follow.
• Mobile health (mHealth) offers a promising, accessible solution for promoting healthy behaviors during pregnancy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development of a user-centered, evidence-based mHealth application for managing gestational weight gain.
• The application, "Gebelikte Kilo Yönetimi" (Gestational Weight Management), is grounded in Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) and the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) model.
• To align with Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommendations for healthy nutrition, physical activity, and GWG.

Main Methods:

• A two-phase, parallel-group, single-blind randomized controlled trial was designed.
• Phase 1 focused on the development of the mHealth application for supporting healthy GWG.
• Phase 2 will evaluate the app's effectiveness in improving adherence to IOM guidelines, healthy eating, and physical activity.

Main Results:

• The study successfully developed a theory-based mHealth application for gestational weight management.
• The application integrates principles from Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) and the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) model.
• The study is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06542679) for future evaluation.

Conclusions:

• The developed mHealth application presents a scalable and accessible alternative to traditional prenatal counseling.
• It is particularly beneficial for settings with limited healthcare access or during public health crises.
• This digital innovation has the potential to enhance GWG outcomes and improve maternal health.