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Pregnancy Exercise and Childhood Obesity Study

This study is looking at how different types of exercise during pregnancy might affect a child's health, specifically their risk of obesity. Researchers want to see if moderate intensity aerobic exercise, moderate intensity resistance exercise, or a combination of both, can lead to better heart health for babies. You might be able to join if you are an overweight or obese pregnant woman, aged 18 to 40, carrying one baby, and are 16 weeks pregnant or less. Your doctor also needs to say it's safe for you to exercise. The study will measure your baby's non-HDL cholesterol (a type of fat in the blood that can indicate heart disease risk) at 1, 6, and 12 months after birth to see which exercise mode has the most positive impact. The study aims to enroll 300 participants.

Study design
This is an interventional study that will randomly assign 284 overweight or obese pregnant women to one of three exercise groups (aerobic, resistance, or combined) or a no-exercise group.
What's involved
Not specified in the trial record.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Infants will be followed for 12 months after birth, with measurements taken at 1, 6, and 12 months.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT04805502

Pregnancy Exercise Mode Effect on Childhood Obesity

Recruiting
NAAges 18–45InterventionalPrevention
East Carolina University
~300 participants
Updated 2026-06-04 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Exercise Modes

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
1 month Infant non-HDL
Measured over 1 month
+10 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Pregnancy
Overweight and Obesity

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OverweightPregnancy

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
North Carolina1

Study leadership

  • Linda E May, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · PI

Who to contact

Linda E May, MS, PhD
[email protected]
2527377072
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Age: 18 to 40 years old
BMI between ≥ 25
Pregnancy: Singleton; ≤ 16 weeks gestation
Clearance by Obstetric provider for exercise

Exclusion

Age: ≤ 17.9 or ≥ 41 years of age
BMI \<25
Multi fetal pregnancy
Obstetric Provider does not provide clearance for exercise
Unable or Unwilling to provide consent
Inability to communicate with members of study team, despite use of interpreter
Medical Conditions (e,g. HIV/Aids, Cancer, Type 1 or 2 Diabetes, Untreated Hypertension, Thyroid Disorders)
Use of tobacco products, alcohol, recreational drugs, or medications (oral hypertensive, insulin)
Unable to provide phone or email contact

What this trial measures

  • 1 month Infant non-HDL1 month

    non-HDL measured from venipuncture

  • 6 month Infant non-HDL6 months

    non-HDL measured from venipuncture

  • 12 month Infant non-HDL12 months

    non-HDL measured from venipuncture

  • 1 month Infant BMI z-score1 month

    BMI normalized

  • 6 month Infant BMI z-score6 months

    BMI normalized

  • 12 month Infant BMI z-score12 months

    BMI normalized

  • Enrollment (8-13wks) Maternal fasting non-HDLenrollment (~8-13 wks gestation)

    non-HDL measured from venipuncture

  • 36wk Maternal fasting non-HDL36 weeks gestation

    non-HDL measured from venipuncture

  • 1 month postpartum Maternal fasting non-HDL1 month postpartum

    non-HDL measured from venipuncture

  • 6 months postpartum Maternal fasting non-HDL6 months postpartum

    non-HDL measured from venipuncture

  • Adverse Pregnancy OutcomesAt Delivery

    Presence or absence of Adverse Pregnancy outcomes (preterm birth, gestational diabetes \[GDM\], preeclampsia, hypertension)