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Title: Lessons learned from the implementation of the Delta Healthy Sprouts comparative effectiveness trial

Author
item Goodman, Melissa
item Thomson, Jessica
item TUSSING-HUMPHREYS, LISA - University Of Illinois

Submitted to: SAGE Research Methods
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/11/2016
Publication Date: 3/1/2017
Citation: Goodman, M.H., Thomson, J.L., Tussing-Humphreys, L.M. 2017. Lessons learned from the implementation of the Delta Healthy Sprouts comparative effectiveness trial. SAGE Research Methods. doi:10.4135/9781526424006.

Interpretive Summary: Women who have inappropriate weight gain during pregnancy as well as women who begin pregnancy obese are at increased risk for adverse pregnancy, delivery, and birth complications. Excessive weight gain during pregnancy and maternal obesity also are associated with increased risks of postnatal weight retention, long term obesity in mothers, and greater risk for obesity in children. In addition, feeding and activity habits established early in life can substantially impact the development of obesity in children. Given the importance of maternal health during pregnancy and the early postnatal period, Delta Healthy Sprouts was designed to test the comparative effectiveness of two treatments on appropriate weight gain during pregnancy, postnatal weight control, and infant weight gain. This case study describes the development of this project from the identification of the research problem and formulation of the research hypotheses, the selection of a research design, the intervention delivery, the mechanics of primary data collection, and the challenges encountered along the way.

Technical Abstract: Women who have inappropriate gestational weight gain (GWG) as well as women who begin pregnancy obese are at increased risk for adverse pregnancy, delivery, and birth outcomes. Excessive GWG and maternal obesity also are associated with increased risks for postnatal weight retention and long term obesity in mothers, and greater risk for obesity in children. In addition, feeding and activity habits established early in life can substantially impact the development of obesity in children. Given the importance of maternal health during gestation and the early postnatal period, Delta Healthy Sprouts was designed to test the comparative effectiveness of two treatments on appropriate GWG, postnatal weight control, and infant weight gain. This case study describes the development of this project from the identification of the research problem and formulation of the research hypotheses, the selection of a research design, the intervention delivery, the mechanics of primary data collection, and the challenges encountered along the way.