Healthy lifestyle changes before and during pregnancy to prevent childhood obesity

Healthy Lifestyle Before and During Pregnancy to Prevent Childhood Obesity. A Randomized, Parallel Group, Tailored Multifactorial Lifestyle Intervention Trial Among Women With Overweight or Obesity Seeking Pregnancy - the PRE-STORK Trial

Not applicable Interventional Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen · NCT05578690

This study is testing whether helping women who are overweight or obese make healthy lifestyle changes before and during pregnancy can lower the chances of their children becoming obese.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment360 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 40 Years
SexFemale
SponsorSteno Diabetes Center Copenhagen Academic / other
Locations1 site (Herlev)
Trial IDNCT05578690 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This trial aims to investigate the effects of a tailored lifestyle intervention focusing on diet, exercise, and mentorship for women who are overweight or obese and planning a pregnancy. Participants will be randomized into groups to receive support in making healthy lifestyle changes before and during pregnancy. The study seeks to address the rising prevalence of childhood obesity by targeting maternal health and weight management. By improving maternal lifestyle, the trial hopes to reduce the risk of obesity in their children.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are women aged 18-40 with a BMI of 25-44 who are planning a pregnancy within the next year.

Not a fit: Patients with diabetes, previous gestational diabetes treated with insulin, or other significant metabolic disorders may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly reduce the incidence of childhood obesity by promoting healthier maternal behaviors.

How similar studies have performed: While lifestyle interventions during pregnancy have shown limited effects in the past, this study's tailored approach may offer a novel strategy to combat childhood obesity.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Having overweight or obesity (BMI 25-44 kg/m2)
* Age 18-34 years (no previous pregnancy) or 18-40 years (previous pregnant \>16 weeks)
* Planning a pregnancy within the next year
* Willingness to lose at least 10% of initial body weight before pregnancy and be physically able to adhere to WHO physical activity recommendations when entering the study
* Willing to postpone pregnancy until at least 6 months after randomization
* Planning antenatal care and delivery at either Herlev Hospital or Odense University Hospital
* Danish or English speaking

Exclusion Criteria:

* Diabetes (fasting plasma glucose (FPG) \>7 mmol/l and HbA1c ≥48 mmol/mol)
* Previous gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) treated with insulin during pregnancy
* Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) treated with metformin
* Treatment with medication which significantly affect glucose metabolism, appetite, or energy balance
* The use of medications that cause clinically significant weight gain or loss
* Habitual abortion (more than 3 abortions in a row)
* Known infertility (defined as fertility treatment and/or no obtained conception with the same partner after trying \>12 months)
* Previous bariatric surgery
* Significant psychiatric disorders
* Uncontrolled/severe medical issues including cardiovascular, pulmonary, rheumatologic, hematologic, oncologic, infectious, or endocrine disease
* Regular exercise training at high intensity (e.g., spinning) \>3 hours per week
* Known eating disorder

Where this trial is running

Herlev

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Overweight and ObesityPregnancy RelatedDietExerciseMentors
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.