The Effect of an Exercise Intervention on Gestational Weight Gain: The Behaviors Affecting Baby and You (B.A.B.Y.) Study: A Randomized Controlled Trial:

Purpose:To examine the effect of a prenatal exercise intervention on gestational weight gain (GWG) and to update meta-analyses.Design:Randomized controlled trial and meta-analysis.Setting:Obstetrical practices in a Western Massachusetts hospital.Patients:We analyzed 241 ethnically diverse pregnant participants at high risk for gestational diabetes in the Behaviors Affecting Baby and You (B.A.B.Y.) study. A total of 118 participants were randomized to an exercise intervention group and 123 to a comparison health and wellness intervention group.Intervention:A 12-week individually tailored, motivationally matched program designed to increase the compliance with guidelines for exercise during pregnancy (30 min/day).Measures:The GWG and compliance with 2009 Institute of Medicine (IOM) guidelines for GWG abstracted from medical records.Analysis:Unadjusted logistic regression, intent-to-treat. Results were added to the existing meta-analyses using a random effects model.Results:Women randomized to the exercise g...