Introduction: It is well established that childbearing is a key driver of obesity in women. Identification of key pregnancy research priorities for maternal obesity prevention is essential to generate international guideline and policy directives that will inform practice and deliver public health impact. The aim of this study was to establish agreed international research priorities to address the global issue of unhealthy lifestyles and maternal obesity in pregnancy.
Methods: International experts and consumer representatives of international standing were invited to form the multidisciplinary Health in Preconception, Pregnancy, and Postpartum (HiPPP) Global Alliance; five continents were represented. Using a Nominal Group Technique and Modified Delphi process, via attendance at a workshop, the Alliance developed a consensus on the top pregnancy research priority areas for the prevention of maternal obesity. Research, practice and policy gaps under each priority were workshopped.
Results: Prioritised pregnancy research priorities were: (1) healthy diet and nutrition including supplementation; (2) gestational weight management; (3) screening for and management of pregnancy complications and pre-existing conditions; (4) physical activity; (5) mental health; and (6) intrapartum and postpartum care including breastfeeding, postnatal depression and sleep. Key overarching principles were also identified to be applied across the priorities, including the context of broader preconception/antenatal care priorities, social determinants, the health of families, and cultural considerations. Gaps for future research included the need for primary research, co-designed interventions, evidence synthesis, and implementation research.
Conclusions: The HiPPP Global Alliance has committed to collaborative, prioritised research, implementation and scale-up activities in this space. Despite current work focused on these priorities by the Alliance and others, there remains a need for researchers to break down the existing silos and capitalise on collaborative opportunities to advance pregnancy research towards translation and implementation in order to reduce the prevalence and impact of maternal obesity.