Understanding what motivates new mothers to maintain healthy lifestyles after childbirth

Motivational Determinants of Postpartum Lifestyle Behaviors, Weight Retention, and Metabolic Syndrome

NIH-funded research University of California at Davis · NIH-10548743

This study is looking at what helps new moms stick to healthy habits like exercising and eating well after having a baby, so they can feel better and avoid gaining extra weight.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California at Davis NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Davis, United States)
Project IDNIH-10548743 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the factors that influence new mothers' ability to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyle behaviors after giving birth. It focuses on understanding how enjoyment of activities like physical exercise, healthy eating, and self-monitoring can motivate women during the challenging postpartum period. By observing a group of women over time, the study aims to identify key motivational factors that can help prevent weight retention and reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome. The findings could lead to more effective lifestyle interventions tailored for new mothers.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are women who have recently given birth and are experiencing challenges with weight retention and lifestyle changes.

Not a fit: Patients who are not postpartum or those who do not have concerns about weight retention or lifestyle changes may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could help develop targeted strategies to support new mothers in maintaining a healthy weight and reducing their risk of chronic diseases.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that understanding motivational factors can lead to successful lifestyle interventions, suggesting that this approach has potential for success.

Where this research is happening

Davis, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Cardiovascular Diseasescardiovascular disorder
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.