A new clinical trial demonstrates that a smartphone application, when used alongside standard care, significantly reduced gestational weight gain in pregnant patients classified as overweight or obese.
The Lifestyle, Eating, and Activity in Pregnancy (LEAP) intervention combines a mobile app, a wireless scale, and an activity tracker to encourage healthy eating and increased physical activity.
Excessive gestational weight gain affects 50% of pregnant individuals with overweight or obesity and is linked to numerous perinatal complications.
The study involved 58 clinicians caring for 1,265 patients, with 677 in the intervention group and 588 receiving standard care. Patients in the intervention group received personalized feedback on weight gain and activity via the app, alongside educational content and optional coaching support.
Results indicated the app reduced the mean weekly rate and total gestational weight gain. Patients most adherent to self-weighing showed the greatest improvements. Fewer participants in the intervention group exceeded Institute of Medicine guidelines for weight gain compared to the control group. However, sustained high engagement with the app was a challenge, with less than 20% of participants remaining highly engaged throughout the study.