Pregnancy Weight Tracking Pilot Project

Excessive weight gain during pregnancy is predictive of a host of health outcomes in both the
mother and child, particularly among women who are overweight or obese pre-pregnancy. Gaining
too much weight is associated with higher risk of gestational diabetes, large birth weight
for the baby and its corresponding risks, and postpartum obesity. Alarmingly, these outcomes
persist for years after birth. For adults who are overweight or obese and interested in
weight management, a key element of behavioral weight control is self-monitoring. Supported
by self-regulation theory, the effectiveness of daily weighing is likely a function of the
self-regulatory processes that are activated as a result of this behavior. Receiving feedback
daily on weight proximal to diet and exercise behaviors may increase awareness how of
behaviors impact weight and allow for small changes in weight to be understood and resolved
through subsequent behavior change. Given the improvements in self-regulation as a result of
daily weighing, it may be an effective strategy for reducing excessive gestational weight
gain during pregnancy. It is not clear, however, whether pregnant women would engage in this
behavior and whether daily weighing would be effective in promoting recommended levels of
weight gain during pregnancy.

To determine the feasibility of a six-week, digital health daily weighing pilot intervention
to monitor gestational weight gain among overweight and obese pregnant women, participants
will be recruited at 13-20 weeks' gestation (consistent with prior studies) and will receive
a digital wireless Bluetooth-enabled scale to track weight for six weeks during pregnancy.
They will receive tailored feedback via weekly emails in response to adherence to daily
weighing and whether weight gains are in accordance with recommended levels and healthy
standards for pregnancy; weekly emails will also communicate healthy eating and physical
activity tips for pregnancy. They will be asked to complete surveys at baseline (before using
scales) and follow-up (after using scales) that focus on experiences with weight monitoring,
GWG knowledge and expectations, and perceptions of the intervention process.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Women ages 18-34 in their first pregnancy and at 13-20 weeks' gestation, with a
low-risk uncomplicated pregnancy and who were overweight or obese at the time they
became pregnant, and who have a smartphone or comparable device with
wireless/Bluetooth capability

Exclusion Criteria:

- Individuals who are not pregnant, who do not have a smartphone with Bluetooth capacity
or a wifi network at home, pregnant women expecting more than a single birth, who are
outside the window of 13-20 weeks' gestation, with a high-risk or complicated
pregnancy for which participation would be contraindicated, who are of advanced
maternal age according to obstetric guidelines (i.e., age 35 or older), with diabetes
or history of eating disorders, and with pre-pregnancy weight less than 25 kg/m2 or
greater than 36 kg/m2 (either not overweight or with extreme obesity)