Mediterranean Diet program for postpartum heart and metabolic health

Mediterranean Diet Intervention for Maternal Postpartum Cardiometabolic and Microbiome Health (MedMom Study): a Randomized Trial

NA · Universidade do Porto · NCT07038681

This project tests whether teaching pregnant women with obesity, high blood pressure, or diabetes to follow a Mediterranean Diet helps improve their heart and metabolic health after birth.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment52 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexFemale
SponsorUniversidade do Porto (other)
Locations1 site (Porto, Viana do Castelo District)
Trial IDNCT07038681 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This pilot randomized controlled trial randomizes pregnant women with obesity and/or chronic or gestational hypertension or diabetes to a Mediterranean Diet education program or to standard hospital dietary care. The intervention consists of one face-to-face education session supported by a 13-page manual and five monthly newsletters sent by email to reinforce adherence. Outcomes include diet adherence and cardiometabolic measures, with a primary focus on cardiac reverse remodeling, glycemic and blood pressure control, postpartum weight recovery, and changes in the fecal microbiota. Secondary aims include observing any effects on exclusive breastfeeding and the timing of introducing complementary foods to infants.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Pregnant women aged over 18 with obesity and/or chronic or gestational hypertension or diabetes who can attend an in-person session are the ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with preexisting cardiomyopathy, significant renal or pulmonary disease, active systemic infection, genetic syndromes, or type 1 diabetes are excluded and unlikely to receive benefit from this intervention.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the program could improve mothers' cardiac and metabolic health after delivery and support healthier weight recovery and gut microbiota patterns.

How similar studies have performed: Mediterranean diet programs have improved cardiometabolic outcomes in other adult populations, but applying this approach to postpartum cardiac reverse remodeling is relatively novel and being piloted here.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Adult female (\>18 years old)
* Obesity
* Chronic arterial hypertension
* Type 2 diabetes
* Gestational hypertension
* Gestational diabetes

Exclusion Criteria:

* Preexisting cardiomyopathy;
* Renal disease;
* Chronic obstructive airway disease;
* Active systemic infection;
* Genetic syndromes;
* Type 1 Diabetes mellitus

Where this trial is running

Porto, Viana do Castelo District

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.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Postpartum, Cardiometabolic Factors, Cardiac Reverse Remodeling, Mediterranean Diet, Pregnancy

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.