Fit Moms is a pilot study examining the effects of an online lifestyle intervention to reduce high postpartum weight retention in low-income mothers participating in the Women's Infants and Children (WIC) program.
Participants are randomized into standard care or an online postpartum weight loss program. The online intervention targets healthy eating, activity, and weight control behaviors. Intervention participants' WIC counselors also reinforce adherence to the online program at regularly scheduled WIC visits. Participants in standard care are provided with monthly educational newsletters. The program is collaboration between Cal Poly, California State WIC, San Luis Obispo County WIC and the University of North Carolina.
Preliminary results indicate greater weight loss and improvements in eating and exercise behaviors in the intervention vs. standard care groups after three months. A larger trial is now needed to determine the efficacy of this intervention approach to reduce postpartum weight retention in low income WIC women.