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PRE-Pregnancy Weight Loss and the Reducing Effect on CHILDhood Overweight - Copenhagen

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Overweight and Obesity
Weight Loss
Pregnancy Related
Interventions
Behavioral: Weight loss intervention
Registration Number
NCT05621109
Lead Sponsor
Christian Mølgaard
Brief Summary

The study is a single site parallel randomized controlled study.

The study will be assessing the effect of approximately 10% weight loss intervention vs a control group among healthy females/couples where the prospective mother is overweight or obese (BMI 27-45 kg/m\^2) and between 18-38 years. The investigators will recruit a total of 240 healthy females/couples who will be randomized 1:1 to either intervention or control, stratified according to maternal pre-pregnancy BMI.

The overall objective is to test whether a comprehensive pre-conceptional parental weight loss intervention effectively reduces the risk of offspring overweight and adiposity and its complications compared to a control group. The investigators hypothesize that parental weight loss intervention, initiated before conception, will facilitate lower parental insulin resistance, inflammation, body weight and adiposity, incretin responses compared to usual care. For the offspring the investigators hypothesize that the intervention will reduce adverse pregnancy outcomes with a reduction in offspring neonatal adiposity, reduced risk of being born large for gestational age (LGA) and with lower BMI z-score at 18 months.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
480
Inclusion Criteria
  • Planning pregnancy within 1 year
  • Provided voluntary informed consent
  • Danish or English speaking
  • Intention to permit the planned offspring to participate in the follow-up study
  • Able to store biological samples from the offspring at home in the freezer in a box given by the study personnel

Parental

Exclusion Criteria
  • Diabetes mellitus (Type 1 or 2)
  • Previous or present eating disorder
  • Allergy towards ingredients in the very low calorie diet products
  • Severe heart, liver or kidney disease
  • Conception by in vitro fertilization (intrauterine insemination allowed)
  • ≥4 consecutive spontaneous pregnancy loss (female)
  • Having tried to conceive or prior time to pregnancy of more than 12 months
  • Any medical condition or concomitant medication as judged by the medical responsible
  • Adherence to vegan diets or other diets interfering with the dietary guidelines in the study
  • Participation in other clinical trial
  • Engagement in elite sports or similar strenuous exercise ≥5 h/week
  • Blood donation or transfusion within the past month before baseline
  • Blood donation during the study
  • Inability or unwillingness to follow the study protocol and instructions given by the study personnel
  • Pregnancy registered between baseline visit and 4 weeks after the baseline visit (urinary analysis with dipstick)

A detailed description of the exclusion criteria is given below:

Medical conditions as known by the participant:

  • Diabetes mellitus (type 1 and 2)
  • History or diagnosis of eating disorder (e.g. restrained eating, disinhibition, emotional eating)
  • Any significant medical condition as assessed by the investigator (e.g. dysregulated thyroid disease or reproductive diseases)
  • Any significant psychiatric disorder (i.e. schizophrenia, bipolar disease or depression) as assessed by the investigator
  • Severe chronic heart, liver and kidney disease
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome with irregular cycle
  • Amenorrhea
  • Severely reduced semen quality incl. azoospermia

Medication:

  • Current use of medication or use within the previous three months with a potential to affect body weight or pregnancy as judged by the investigator (e.g. systemic corticoids)

Personal/other:

  • Having tried to conceive or prior time to pregnancy of more than 12 months
  • Weight changes ± 5% three months prior to inclusion
  • Severe food allergies, food intolerances or dislike expected to interfere with the study, including allergy towards ingredients in the VLCD products
  • Engagement in elite sports or similar strenuous exercise ≥5 h/week
  • Blood donation or transfusion within the past month before baseline
  • Planned blood donation for other purpose than this study during participation
  • Alcohol abuse, as judged by the investigator, within the previous 12 months
  • Drug abuse, as judged by the investigator, within the previous 12 months
  • Psychological or behavioral problems which, in the judgement of the investigator, would lead to difficulty in complying with the study protocol
  • Participation in other clinical trials within the past three months or intention to do so during the study, which are judged by the investigator to affect the present study
  • Unable to consume the interventional product for religious reasons, swallowing disorders, other physiological reasons or any other reasons for not being able to follow the recommended diet
  • Inability or unwillingness to give written informed consent or communicate with study personnel
  • Inability or unwillingness to follow the study protocol and instructions given by the study personnel
  • Illiteracy or inadequate understanding of Danish or English language.
  • Any other condition that judged by the investigator may interfere with the adherence to the study protocol

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
InterventionWeight loss interventionRapid moderate weight loss (approximately 10% of body weight at baseline over 8-10 weeks or BMI 23 kg/m\^2 is achieved) by very low-calorie diet (VLCD), reintroduction (4 weeks), weight loss maintenance until pregnancy (up to 12 months), and a high protein, high fiber diet during pregnancy (n=120 females/couples).
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Neonatal fat massAssessed at birth (strived <24 hours, but allow <48 hours)

Offspring's neonatal fat mass (grams) assessed by air displacement plethysmography (Pea POD)

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Adult BMICollected baseline, visit (V)1-19, registration of pregnancy, in gestational age (GA)8, GA13, GA20, GA28, GA36, GA39, when giving birth and at 3, 6, 12 and 18 months after birth.

Calculated ad weight (kg)/height(m)\^2

Obstetric - medication useCollected from initiation of labor until completed birth of offspring.

Medication use during labor

Obstetric - Neonatal unit admissionsCollected at birth and until 6 months after birth of offspring.

Neonatal unit admissions.

Fetal and offspring growth - body weightCollected in gestational age (GA)11-13, GA19-21 and GA28, at birth and 3, 6, 12 and 18 months after birth.

Fetal body weight will be measured with ultrasound during pregnancy and offspring body weight will be measured using an electronic scale.

Fetal and offspring growth - lengthCollected in gestational age (GA) 11-13, GA19-21 and GA28, at birth and 3, 6, 12 and 18 months after birth.

Fetal length will be measured with ultrasound during pregnancy and offspring length will be measured using using an infantometer as appropriate for measuring infant, baby and toddler length.

Fetal growth - fractional limb volumeCollected in gestational age 28.

Fractional limb volume will be measured with ultrasound during pregnancy.

Obstetrics outcome - length of gestational ageAssessed at birth of offspring.

Length of gestational age.

Obstetric - obstetrics complicationsCollected at birth of offspring

Obstetrics complications (e.g. preterm prelabour rupture of the membranes, shoulder dystocia, birth trauma (perinatal rupture), postpartum hemorrhage, maternal infections, maternal hospitalization).

Fetal and offspring growth - abdominal circumferenceCollected in gestational age (GA) 11-13, GA19-21 and GA28, at birth and 3, 6, 12 and 18 months after birth.

Abdominal circumference will be measured with ultrasound during pregnancy and offspring abdominal circumference will be measured three times to the nearest 0.1 cm using a stretch-resistant measuring tape

Fetal and offspring growth - crown circumferenceCollected in gestational age (GA) 11-13, GA19-21 and GA28, at birth and 3, 6, 12 and 18 months after birth.

Crown circumference will be measured with ultrasound during pregnancy and offspring crown circumference will be measured three times to the nearest 0.1 cm using a stretch-resistant measuring tape

Obstetric - pregnancy complicationsCollected at registration of pregnancy, in gestational age (GA) 8, GA13, GA20, GA28, GA36 and GA39).

Pregnancy complications e.g. miscarriage, abortion (induced and indication for abortion), hydramnios, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, need for maternal corticosteroid treatment for fetal lung maturation, urinary tract infection).

Offspring growth - weight for gestational ageCollected at birth and 3, 6, 12 and 18 months after birth of offspring.

Weight for gestational age. Measured as percent of normal weight related to gestational age.

Offspring growth - large for gestational ageCollected at birth and 3, 6, 12 and 18 months after birth of offspring.

Large for gestational age. Prevalence of infants being LGA.

Offspring growth - apgar scoreCollected at birth of offspring

Apgar score (0-10). The higher the score, the better health condition of the offspring)

Fetal and offspring growth - femur lengthCollected in gestational age (GA) 11-13, GA19-21 and GA28, at birth and 3, 6, 12 and 18 months after birth.

Femur length will be measured with ultrasound during pregnancy and offspring thigh will be measured three times to the nearest 0.1 cm using a stretch-resistant measuring tape.

Offspring growth - self-reported height18 months after birth the study staff will make an annual follow-up phone call to the parents to collect information about the offspring's self-reported body weight until the offspring is 14 of age.

Self-reported height

Obstetric - delivery modeCollected at birth of offspring.

Delivery mode (rupture of membranes or premature contractions, vaginal, cesarean section, instrumental delivery, miscarriage and stillbirth).

Obstetrics - birth defects/abnormalitiesCollected at birth of offspring

Birth defects/abnormalities

Neonatal morbiditiesCollected at birth of offspring

Neonatal morbidity (e.g. major congenital malformations (ICD10 Q00-Q99 or requiring medical or surgical treatment), birth injury, respiratory distress, transient tachypnoea, neonatal hypoglycemia, systemic infections, admission to neonatal intensive care unit, number of admission days, hyperbilirubinemia), deaths.

Offspring growth - body composition by the POD systemCollected at birth (strived <24 hours, but allow <48 hours), 3, 6, 12 and 18 months after birth of offspring.

Offspring fat free mass (g) and fat mass (g) will be assessed by air displacement plethysmography using the POD system (either the Pea POD or the Bod POD system depending on the most appropriate for age)

Offspring growth - bone markers by DEXA scanCollected at 6, 12 and 18 months after birth of offspring.

Offspring bone area (cm\^2), bone mineral density (g/cm\^2) and bone mineral content (g) will be assessed by a Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry-scan (DEXA).

Offspring growth - small for gestational ageCollected at birth and 3, 6, 12 and 18 months after birth of offspring.

Small for gestational age. Prevalence of offspring being small for gestational age (SGA).

Offspring heart rateCollected 6, 12 and 18-months after birth of offspring

Offspring heart rate will be measured three times after 5-10 minutes rest using an automated device placed on the arm and in direct contact with the skin.

Adult weightThe intervention: each visit(V) throughout the study (baseline to 18mo. after birth). The control: before pregnancy (baseline, V11 and V14), all visits during pregnancy, at birth, at V27≤6days after birth and 3,6,12 and 18mo. after birth

Adult body weight is measured to the nearest 0.1 kg using a calibrated scale

Adult self-reported body weight (control group)From baseline to registration of pregnancy (4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 30, 36, 42, 48, and 52 weeks after baseline)

The control group will be instructed to self-report their body weight in a fasting state (no food or drink besides a maximum of 500 mL of water from 10 pm the night before) by using their own personal weight scale at home after having emptied their bladder at time point 9 and approximately monthly from time point 9 until registration of pregnancy.

Adult blood pressureCollected at baseline (visit (V)0) and in gestational age (GA)36. Additionally, at V8 (prior to pregnancy) for the intervention group.

Blood pressure (diastolic and systolic blood pressure) will be measured three times with two minutes apart after 5-10 minutes rest using a validated automatic device.

Adult resting metabolic rateCollected at baseline visit (V)0. Additionally, at V8 (prior to pregnancy) for the intervention group.

Resting metabolic rate (calories/24-h) and respiratory quotient will be measured by indirect calorimetry using a ventilated hood system. Participants will lie in the supine position and rest for at least 5 min before measurements commence. The measurement will be performed twice and last for 25 min with 5 min between measurements.

Adult resting respiratory quotientCollected at baseline visit (V)0. Additionally, at V8 (prior to pregnancy) for the intervention group.

Resting respiratory quotient will be measured by indirect calorimetry using a ventilated hood system. Participants will lie in the supine position and rest for at least 5 min before measurements commence. The measurement will be performed twice and last for 25 min with 5 min between measurements.

Adult reproduction - Success rateRegistration of pregnancy

Success rate of pregnancy defined as number of achieved pregnancies.

Reproduction (male) - Sperm DNA fragmentationCollected baseline and at visit (V) 11. Additionally, at V8 (prior to pregnancy) for the intervention group.

DNA fragmentation (%)

Adult glucose metabolism (CGM, only female)Collected at gestational age (GA)28+GA29

A continuous glucose monitoring system will be attached to the designated area on the upper body as stated by the manufacture.

Adult lipid profileCollected at baseline (visit(V)0) and during pregnancy in gestational age (GA)36 (only female). Additionally, at V8 (prior to pregnancy) for the intervention group.

All blood samples will be collected by venous puncture in the antecubital vein after an overnight fast from at least 10 pm the night before. Samples will be analysed for triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), very-low-density lipoprotein VLDL and total cholesterol

Offspring growth - BMI z-scoreCollected at birth and 3, 6, 12 and 18 months after birth of offspring.

Offspring body mass index (BMI) z-score (BMI adjusted for age and sex).

Offspring growthCollected at birth and 3, 6, 12 and 18 months after birth of offspring.

Offspring circumference (upper arm and hip) and 5 points skinfold (bi- and triceps, subscapularis, belly and waist). Circumferences will be measured to the nearest 0.1 cm using a stretch-resistant measuring tape and skinfolds are measured to the nearest 0.02 cm using a caliper to lightly pinch the skin and the underlying fat

Offspring growth - body composition by DEXA scanCollected at 6, 12 and 18 months after birth of offspring.

Offspring fat free mass (g) and fat mass (g) will be assessed by a Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry-scan (DEXA).

Offspring blood pressureCollected 6, 12 and 18-months after birth of offspring

Offspring blood pressure (diastolic and systolic blood pressure) will be measured three times after 5-10 minutes rest using an automated device placed on the arm and in direct contact with the skin.

Offspring growth - self-reported body weight18 months after birth the study staff will make an annual follow-up phone call to the parents to collect information about the offspring's self-reported body weight until the offspring is 14 of age.

Self-reported body weight

Adult anthropometricCollected prior to pregnancy (at baseline, visit(V)5, V6, V7, V8, V12, and V16 (V5-V16 only the intervention)), during pregnancy (at registration of pregnancy, in gestational age(GA)13 and GA36), and at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months after birth of offspring.

Waist- and hip circumference will be measured to the nearest 0.5 cm. During pregnancy and at birth the waist of the female will not be measured.

Adult reproduction - Time to pregnancyRegistration of pregnancy

Duration of time to conception defined from time point allowed to conceive to registration of pregnancy.

Offspring lipid profileCollected at 6, 12 and 18 months after birth

Total amount of venous blood will be drawn at 6-, 12- and 18-months follow-up visit.

Parents will be instructed that the offspring should not have eaten two hours prior to the assessment.

Samples will be analysed for triglycerides, LDL, HDL, VLDL and total cholesterol.

Offspring inflammation markersCollected at 6, 12 and 18 months after birth

Total amount of venous blood will be drawn at 6-, 12- and 18-months follow-up visit.

Parents will be instructed that the offspring should not have eaten two hours prior to the assessment.

Samples will be analysed for hsCRP, TNF-α and IL6.

Offspring growth factors and hormonesCollected at 6, 12 and 18 months after birth

Total amount of venous blood will be drawn at 6-, 12- and 18-months follow-up visit.

Parents will be instructed that the offspring should not have eaten two hours prior to the assessment.

Samples will be analysed for Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) and growth hormone (GH).

Adult HeightCollected at baseline (V0).

Adult height will be measured to the nearest 0.5 cm using a wall-mounted stadiometer.

Reproduction (male) - Sperm acrosomal statusCollected baseline and at visit (V) 11. Additionally, at V8 (prior to pregnancy) for the intervention group.

Acrosomal status (%).

Adult glucose metabolismCollected at baseline (visit(V)0) and during pregnancy in gestational age (GA)36 (only female). Additionally, at V8 (prior to pregnancy) for the intervention group.

All blood samples will be collected by venous puncture in the antecubital vein after an overnight fast from at least 10 pm the night before. Samples will be analysed for fasting glucose, insulin, C-peptide and HbA1c

Adult body composition by DEXA scanCollected at baseline (visit (V)0), at registration of pregnancy (only male) and after birth (≤6 days after birth of offspring). Additionally, at V8 (prior to pregnancy) for the intervention group.

Lean mass (g), fat mass (g), abdominal fat (g), visceral fat (g) assessed by a Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry-scan.

Adult bone markers by DEXA scanCollected at baseline (visit (V)0), at registration of pregnancy (only male) and after birth (≤6 days after birth of offspring). Additionally, at V8 (prior to pregnancy) for the intervention group.

Bone area (cm\^2), bone mineral density (g/cm\^2) and bone mineral content (g) assessed by a Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry-scan.

Offspring medication useBirth, after 3, 6, 12, and 18 months after birth of offspring.

Use of medication will be collected throughout the study.

Reproduction (male) - Sperm motilityCollected baseline and at visit (V) 11. Additionally, at V8 (prior to pregnancy) for the intervention group.

Sperm motility (%).

Reproduction (male) - Sperm concentrationCollected baseline and at visit (V) 11. Additionally, at V8 (prior to pregnancy) for the intervention group.

Concentration (in million sperm cells/ml).

Reproduction (male) - Sperm morphologyCollected baseline and at visit (V) 11. Additionally, at V8 (prior to pregnancy) for the intervention group.

Morphology (%).

Adult heart rateCollected at baseline (visit (V)0) and in gestational age (GA)36. Additionally, at V8 (prior to pregnancy) for the intervention group.

Heart rate will be measured three times with two minutes apart after 5-10 minutes rest using a validated automatic device.

Adult medication useUse of medication will be collected at all visits.

Use of medication will be collected throughout the study.

Adult glucose metabolism (OGTT, only female)Collected at gestational age (GA)20 and 28 or only 28 (only female)

2-h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) will be performed at gestational age\~20 and \~28 or only \~28.

Adult inflammation markersCollected at baseline (visit(V)0) and during pregnancy in gestational age (GA)36 (only female). Additionally, at V8 (prior to pregnancy) for the intervention group.

All blood samples will be collected by venous puncture in the antecubital vein after an overnight fast from at least 10 pm the night before. Samples will be analysed for hsCRP, Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL6).

Offspring glucose metabolismCollected at 6, 12 and 18 months after birth

Total amount of venous blood will be drawn at 6-, 12- and 18-months follow-up visit.

Parents will be instructed that the offspring should not have eaten two hours prior to the assessment. Samples will be analysed for glucose, insulin, C-peptide and HbA1c

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Copenhagen

🇩🇰

Frederiksberg, DK, Denmark

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