Clinical Research Directory

Determinant Factors in Excessive Gestational Weight Gain: Physical Activity, Nutritional Status, and Anxiety

This study aims to identify which of the following factors-physical activity level, nutritional status, or pregnancy-related anxiety-has the strongest influence on excessive gestational weight gain. Pregnant women in their third trimester who are being followed at Gebze Fatih State Hospital and meet the inclusion criteria will be referred to the Exercise Therapy Laboratory of the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Bezmialem Vakıf University. After being informed about the study and providing written informed consent, participants will undergo a face-to-face assessment. Data will be collected prospectively using a demographic information form, the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ), a nutritional status assessment form, and a pregnancy-related anxiety questionnaire.

Food Provision in Prenatal Care

The overarching research question is: "Does the provision of healthy food during pregnancy reduce the proportion of women who experience excessive gestational weight gain compared with standard of care (SoC)?" To answer this question, the investigators will conduct a randomized controlled trial with 400 pregnant women. Participants will be randomized 1:1 to either the Food Provision arm or the SoC arm, with approximately 200 participants per arm. Participants randomized to the SoC arm will receive the standard clinical protocol for nutritional and gestational weight gain counseling recommended for all pregnant women, as well as $500 after delivery to be used specifically for baby items.Those randomized to the Food Provision arm will be provided the same nutritional and gestational weight gain counseling, as well as a total of $1000 during pregnancy to be used specifically for the purchase of healthy foods recommended in the nutritional counseling. Data for the primary outcome will be collected from birth records and from surveys conducted at baseline (pre-intervention), midpoint (between 24-36 weeks gestation), and post-intervention (\~8 weeks post-partum).