Doctors know that many pregnant women gain too much weight during pregnancy, which can cause health problems. This review looked at studies about whether talking to pregnant women about healthy eating and exercise helps them gain the right amount of weight. Researchers found 8 studies where pregnant women who were overweight or obese received counseling and support about diet and physical activity. The results suggest that personalized conversations with healthcare providers, either in person or by phone, can help pregnant women make better choices and gain a healthier amount of weight during pregnancy. This approach works best when combined with actual diet and exercise changes.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether talking to pregnant women about healthy eating and exercise helps them avoid gaining too much weight during pregnancy
  • Who participated: The review examined 8 research studies involving pregnant women who were overweight or obese. The exact total number of women studied wasn’t specified in the review, but the researchers looked at studies from multiple countries and healthcare settings
  • Key finding: Behavioral counseling—especially personalized conversations about diet, exercise, and healthy weight gain—appears to help pregnant women gain an appropriate amount of weight rather than excessive amounts
  • What it means for you: If you’re pregnant and overweight or obese, talking regularly with your healthcare provider about healthy eating and staying active may help you and your baby stay healthier. This works best when combined with actual changes to your diet and exercise habits

The Research Details

This was a scoping review, which means researchers looked at many different studies on the same topic to understand what we know overall. The team searched five major medical databases (Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and ProQuest) for studies about behavioral interventions—basically, programs designed to help people change their habits—for pregnant women who were overweight or obese.

They started with 4,704 research papers and narrowed it down by reading titles and summaries. After removing duplicates and papers that didn’t fit their criteria, they had 4,089 papers to review. Finally, they carefully read the full text of 69 papers and selected 8 studies that best answered their question about whether counseling and behavioral support helps with weight gain during pregnancy.

The interventions they studied included face-to-face counseling sessions where healthcare providers talked with pregnant women about nutrition, physical activity, and appropriate weight gain, often followed up with phone calls to check in and provide ongoing support.

This research approach is important because pregnancy weight gain is a real health concern. Too much weight gain during pregnancy can lead to complications like gestational diabetes and high blood pressure, which affect both mother and baby. By reviewing multiple studies together, researchers can see patterns and understand what actually works. This helps doctors know what advice to give pregnant women and what support programs might be most helpful.

This is a scoping review, which is a good way to get an overview of a topic but is less definitive than a systematic review with strict quality ratings. The researchers only found 8 studies that met their criteria out of thousands searched, which suggests that high-quality research on this specific topic is limited. The review was published in a respected medical journal, which is a good sign. However, readers should know that the studies included may have had different methods and quality levels, and the review didn’t provide detailed information about how well each study was conducted.

What the Results Show

The review found that behavioral interventions—programs focused on helping pregnant women change their habits—appear to help control excessive weight gain during pregnancy. The most effective approach combined personalized counseling about healthy eating and exercise with regular follow-up contact, either in person or by phone.

Healthcare providers in these studies talked with pregnant women about what they were eating, how much physical activity they were getting, and what amount of weight gain was healthy for their individual situation. These conversations seemed to help women make better choices about food and movement.

The review suggests that the key to success is having multiple interactions with healthcare providers over time, not just one conversation. Regular check-ins and ongoing support appeared to help women actually change their behaviors and achieve healthier weight gain patterns during pregnancy.

The review noted that behavioral interventions work best when they’re tailored to each individual woman’s needs and circumstances, rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach. The studies also suggested that combining counseling with practical support—like education about nutrition and exercise—was more effective than counseling alone. Additionally, the research indicates that longer-term engagement with healthcare providers, rather than brief interventions, tends to produce better results in helping women maintain healthy weight gain.

This review adds to existing knowledge by specifically examining behavioral interventions for overweight and obese pregnant women. Previous research has shown that excessive weight gain during pregnancy is common and problematic, but this review focuses on what actually helps change behavior. The findings align with general health research showing that personalized counseling and ongoing support are more effective than one-time advice, and that combining multiple strategies (diet, exercise, and behavioral support) works better than any single approach alone.

The review has several important limitations. First, only 8 studies met the criteria out of thousands searched, which means there isn’t a lot of high-quality research on this specific topic. Second, the review didn’t provide detailed information about how well each individual study was conducted, so some may have been more reliable than others. Third, the studies may have used different methods and measured results differently, making it hard to compare them directly. Finally, the review didn’t specify the total number of pregnant women involved across all studies, which makes it difficult to understand how broadly these findings apply.

The Bottom Line

If you’re pregnant and overweight or obese, talk with your healthcare provider about behavioral support programs that include counseling about healthy eating and physical activity. These programs appear to help with appropriate weight gain during pregnancy (moderate confidence based on limited research). Regular check-ins with your healthcare provider—whether in person or by phone—seem more helpful than one-time conversations. Combine counseling with actual changes to your diet and exercise habits for the best results.

This research is most relevant for pregnant women who are overweight or obese, as well as their healthcare providers. It’s also important for doctors, nurses, and midwives who care for pregnant women and want to know what support strategies actually work. Healthcare systems and insurance companies may also benefit from understanding which interventions are effective. However, this research is less directly applicable to pregnant women of normal weight, though some principles may still be helpful.

Behavioral changes typically take time to develop. Based on the studies reviewed, most interventions lasted several weeks to months during pregnancy. Women shouldn’t expect immediate results, but consistent engagement with counseling and support throughout pregnancy appears to help achieve healthier weight gain patterns by the time of delivery. The benefits may continue after pregnancy if healthy habits are maintained.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track weekly weight gain and weekly physical activity minutes. Set a target weight gain range based on your pre-pregnancy weight (discuss with your healthcare provider), and log your weight weekly. Also track minutes of moderate activity like walking, swimming, or prenatal exercise classes. This creates accountability and helps you see patterns over time.
  • Use the app to schedule and log your counseling sessions or check-in calls with your healthcare provider. Set weekly reminders for healthy eating goals (like adding vegetables to meals) and physical activity targets. Create a simple meal plan feature where you can log what you’re eating and get feedback on nutritional choices. Use push notifications to encourage regular activity and remind you of your health goals.
  • Establish a weekly check-in routine where you review your weight trend, activity level, and eating patterns. Share this data with your healthcare provider during regular appointments. Use the app to identify which weeks you stayed on track and which were challenging, then adjust your approach accordingly. Track not just numbers, but also how you feel—energy levels, mood, and physical comfort—as these often improve with healthy behaviors.

This review summarizes research about behavioral interventions for weight management during pregnancy in overweight and obese women. It is not a substitute for personalized medical advice from your healthcare provider. Pregnancy weight gain recommendations vary based on your individual health status, pre-pregnancy weight, and other factors. Always consult with your obstetrician, midwife, or healthcare provider before starting any new diet, exercise program, or weight management strategy during pregnancy. This information is for educational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose or treat any medical condition. If you have concerns about your weight gain during pregnancy, discuss them with your healthcare provider who can provide guidance tailored to your specific situation.