Association Between Consistent Weight Gain Tracking and Gestational Weight Gain: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Trial

OBJECTIVE: The effective components of interventions for reducing excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) remain to be identified. This study investigated the socio-demographic, physical, psychosocial, and environmental correlates of online GWG tracking and its independent association GWG outcomes. METHODS: 898 women in the intervention arms of a randomized trial assessing the effectiveness of an integrated online and mobile phone behavioral intervention to decrease the prevalence of excessive GWG were included in this secondary analysis. Data were analyzed using chi-square analysis and modified Poisson and linear regression approaches. RESULTS: Only 16.5% of low income (Medicaid eligible) women consistently tracked GWG as did 34.2% of not-low income women. More highly educated, older, and white women were more likely to be consistent weight gain trackers. Among not-low income women, consistent weight gain tracking was associated with 2.35 kg less GWG (95% CI: −3.23 to −1.46 kg; p <0.0001) and a reduced risk of excessive GWG (RR 0.73; 95% CI: 0.59 to 0.89; p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Electronic tracking of GWG is an effective component of e- and m-health interventions aiming to decrease the prevalence of excessive GWG in not-low income women. Income-group specific motivators are needed to increase the prevalence of weight gain tracking.