Panaser, Clare Abigail (2024) Does Pre-Conception and Inter-Conception Lifestyle Intervention (Diet and Exercise) affect Maternal, Foetal, and Neonatal Outcomes Compared to Standard Care? Masters thesis, York St John University.

Text (MSc by Research thesis) Does Pre-Conception and Inter-Conception Lifestyle Intervention (Diet and Exercise) affect Maternal, Foetal, and Neonatal Outcomes Compared to Standard Care.pdf - Published Version Restricted to Repository staff only until 28 January 2026. Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial Share Alike. Download (2MB) Request a copy

Abstract

It is well established that obesity and overweight are associated with non-communicable diseases and increased medical and economical costs. Effective strategies that interrupt the growing epidemic and cycle of obesity are a global health imperative. Pregnancy has been cited as an opportune time for health care messages, and diet and lifestyle intervention during pregnancy has demonstrated short and long-term benefits to both the gestational
parent and offspring. It has been suggested that the same interventions could have an increased impact if implemented in the pre- or inter-pregnancy period. This thesis explores
current policy in England around pre-pregnancy diet and exercise intervention and limitations to existing guidelines and barriers to engagement. This is followed by a
systematic review of 14 controlled trials and 2 cohort studies. An analysis of the current evidence aims to assess the quality of the data for implementation into policy and/or to highlight research gaps.

Results from the systematic review found that diet and lifestyle intervention in obese women pre-pregnancy leads to significant weight loss, significantly improved metabolic
health shown by measures of insulin sensitivity, significantly increased live birth rates and spontaneous conceptions, and a trend towards increased pregnancy rates.

Conclusion. Diet and exercise intervention to reduce obesity pre-pregnancy improves maternal and foetal outcomes. However, more research is needed to standardise and
optimise the type and timing for intervention. This needs to be alongside a systems approach of understanding the pressure and psychological burden for women, reducing
food poverty, decreasing accessibility to ‘junk food’ and improving healthy food availability and cost, alongside urban planning to encourage activity.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Status:	Published
Subjects:	Q Science > Q Science (General)
School/Department:	School of Science, Technology and Health
URI:	https://ray.yorksj.ac.uk/id/eprint/11431

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