Digital program to help pregnant people keep weight gain on track
Efficacy of a Novel Digital Platform to Scale-Up a Personalized Prenatal Weight Gain Intervention Using Control Systems Methodology
A remote, personalized digital program uses automated rules to help pregnant people with overweight or obesity keep weight gain within healthy ranges.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Pennsylvania State University, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (University Park, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11290317 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I'm pregnant and start the program, it monitors my weight and changes the level of support I get—like extra activity or eating guidance—based on how my weight is trending. The program is delivered mostly remotely through a digital platform that automatically adapts treatment dose using control-system decision rules. Earlier testing of this Healthy Mom Zone approach showed good adherence, lower burden when delivered remotely, and about 21% lower average pregnancy weight gain. This project aims to scale up that digital approach so prenatal clinicians could use it more widely.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are pregnant people with pre-pregnancy overweight or obesity who are early in pregnancy and willing to use a remote app and share regular weight data.
Not a fit: People with normal pre-pregnancy weight, those with high-risk pregnancies requiring specialized medical care, or those unable or unwilling to use remote technology may not benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This could help pregnant people with overweight or obesity stay within recommended gestational weight gain ranges and lower risks for mother and baby.
How similar studies have performed: Previous trials of the Healthy Mom Zone approach showed feasibility, better adherence with remote delivery, and about 21% lower mean gestational weight gain compared with controls.
Where this research is happening
University Park, United States
- Pennsylvania State University, the — University Park, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Downs, Danielle Symons — Pennsylvania State University, the
- Study coordinator: Downs, Danielle Symons
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.