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Mums struggling to lose baby weight wanted for study

Researchers are looking for new mums who are struggling to lose weight to take part in a new study.

    New mum in gym

    Researchers are looking for new mums who are struggling to lose weight to take part in a new study.

    The project will investigate the effects of exercise and diet programmes on weight management and health following pregnancy.

    The team at Nottingham Trent University (NTU) are asking women who have just had their first child to consider taking part.

    Specifically, the project is looking for women aged 18 – 50 who have had a baby within the last year and have a BMI of over 25.

    Previous studies show that both mum and baby health is compromised if the mother is overweight, so the study aims to help women manage their weight in what can be a challenging time.

    It will investigate the impact of different exercises and diets on the women, to see which are the most effective.

    As part of the research the new mums will receive lifestyle advice focusing on either diet or exercise and undergo a thorough assessment of physical activity and health.

    Participants will be required to attend the NTU Clifton Campus Sports Science Laboratory on seven occasions.

    They will also get the opportunity to meet other new mums, engage in an individualised weight loss programme, and use a Fitbit for 20 weeks.

    Researcher Stephanie Hanley, who is based in NTU’s School of Science and Technology, said: “In most developed countries over half of women of childbearing age are overweight or obese, which increases the risk of health complications for both mother and baby.

    “Previous work has shown that women would prefer to be given the choice of an exercise or diet programme and, to our knowledge, we are the first to investigate the effects of this on weight management and health in new mothers.”

    To register your interest in the study or find out more, email stephanie.hanley2016@my.ntu.ac.uk.

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      About Nottingham Trent University

      Nottingham Trent University (NTU) was named University of the Year 2019 in the Guardian University Awards. The award was based on performance and improvement in the Guardian University Guide, retention of students from low-participation areas and attainment of BME students. NTU was also the Times Higher Education University of the Year 2017, and The Times and Sunday Times Modern University of the Year 2018. These awards recognise NTU for its high levels of student satisfaction, its quality of teaching, its engagement with employers, and its overall student experience.

      The university has been rated Gold in the Government’s Teaching Excellence Framework – the highest ranking available.

      It is one of the largest UK universities. With nearly 32,000 students and more than 4,000 staff located across four campuses, the University contributes £900m to the UK economy every year. With an international student population of more than 3,000 from around 100 countries, the University prides itself on its global outlook

      The university is passionate about creating opportunities and its extensive outreach programme is designed to enable NTU to be a vehicle for social mobility. NTU is among the UK’s top five recruiters of students from disadvantaged backgrounds and was awarded University of the Year in the UK Social Mobility Awards 2019. A total of 82% of its graduates go on to graduate entry employment or graduate entry education or training within six months of leaving. Student satisfaction is high: NTU achieved an 87% satisfaction score in the 2019 National Student Survey.

      A total of 82% of its graduates go on to graduate entry employment or graduate entry education or training within six months of leaving. Student satisfaction is high: NTU achieved an 87% satisfaction score in the 2019 National Student Survey.

      NTU is also one of the UK’s most environmentally friendly universities, containing some of the sector’s most inspiring and efficient award-winning buildings.

      NTU is home to world-class research, and won The Queen’s Anniversary Prize in 2015 – the highest national honour for a UK university. It recognised the University’s pioneering projects to improve weapons and explosives detection in luggage; enable safer production of powdered infant formula; and combat food fraud.

    Published on 20 November 2019
    • Category: Press office; School of Science and Technology