Effect of diet and exercise intervention in Chinese pregnant women on gestational weight gain and perinatal outcomes: A quasi-experimental study

•The majority of Chinese pregnant women have excessive gestational weight gain.•The diet and exercise intervention significantly reduced gestational weight gain, optimized infant weight and lowered postpartum weight retention.•Promotion of gestational weight management is needed and cultural health beliefs about pregnancy and postpartum practices should be considered when developing the intervention plan.

AimTo determine the effect of a diet and exercise intervention in pregnant women on total gestational weight gain, weekly weight gain, 42-days postpartum weight retention, mode of delivery, and infant birth weight.MethodsOne hundred and one eligible Chinese pregnant women whose pre-pregnancy body mass index ranged from 18.5 to 24.9 were recruited between June 2013 and June 2014 from a tertiary hospital. Ninety participants, 45 in each group, completed the study. Intervention women received three face-to-face interventions and three follow-up phone calls which were developed based on the Transtheoretical Model. Gestational weight was measured at each prenatal check. Mode of delivery and infant birth weight were collected from the medical record. The 42-days postpartum weight was measured during the postpartum visits.Results(1) The total gestational weight gain and mean weight gain per week in the intervention group were significantly less than the control group (P = 0.045 and P = 0.008 respectively). (2) Infant birth weight was significantly lower in the intervention group (P = 0.012). (3) Postpartum weight retention was significantly less in the intervention group (P = 0.001). 4) There were not significant differences in mode of delivery. 5) Infant birth weight was significantly less than the control group (P = 0.012).ConclusionsThe lifestyle intervention significantly reduced gestational weight gain, optimized infant weight and lowered postpartum weight retention. Promotion of gestational weight management is needed and cultural health beliefs about pregnancy and postpartum practices should be considered when developing the intervention plan.