An accurate estimate of preconception weight is necessary for providing a gestational weight gain range based on the Institute of Medicine’s guidelines; however, an accurate and proximal preconception weight is not available for most women. We examined the validity of first trimester weights for estimating preconception body mass index category. Under identical measurement conditions, preconception weight and two first trimester weights (i.e., 4–10 and 12 weeks gestation) were obtained (n = 43). The 4–10 week and the 12 week weight correctly classified 95 and 91% women, respectively. Mean weight changes were relatively small overall (M = 0.74 ± 1.99 kg at 4–10 weeks and M = 1.02 ± 2.46 at 12 weeks). There was a significant difference in mean weight gain by body mass index category at 4–10 weeks (−0.09 ± 1.86 kg for normal weight participants vs. 1.61 + 1.76 kg for overweight/obese participants, p = 0.01), but not at 12 weeks (0.53 ± 2.29 kg for normal weight participants vs. 1.54 ± 2.58 kg for overweight/obese participants). Assigning gestational weight gain guidelines based on an early first trimester weight resulted in 5–9% of women being misclassified depending on the gestational week the weight was obtained. Thus, most women are correctly classified based on a first trimester weight, particularly an early first trimester weight, although it is possible that modeling strategies could be developed to further improve estimates of preconception body mass index category. Clinicaltrials.gov # NCT01131117 , registered May 25, 2010.

Journal of Medical Internet Research - International Scientific Journal for Medical Research, Information and Communication on the Internet

College students exhibit high levels of sedentary time and/or poor lifestyle factors (e.g., poor sleep, stress, physical inactivity). It is unknown; however, in what domains college students spend their sedentary time and whether there are associations between sedentary time and these lifestyle factors. This study examined sedentary behavior of college students by domains, current lifestyle factors and sociodemographics. Undergraduates (n = 272, M age = 20 years, 79% female) self-reported their sedentary behavior, sleep, stress, physical activity, anthropometrics and sociodemographics. Sedentary time was categorized as: total, recreational screen, education and social. Students reported spending > 12 h of their day sedentary on average, with over a third of this time spent in recreational screen time. All categories of sedentary time were significantly correlated with body mass index, and both total sedentary time and screen time were significantly correlated with sleep score, with poorer sleep quality associated with greater sedentary time. Physical activity was negatively correlated with social sedentary time only. Subgroups with elevated sedentary time included minority students, those with low parental education and students with overweight/obesity. Given the negative health impacts of sedentary behavior, college students would likely benefit from interventions tailored to this population which target reducing sedentary time, particularly recreational screen time.

Objective: To examine whether the addition of online motivational interviewing (MI) chats to a Web‐based, group behavioral obesity treatment program augments weight loss outcomes relative to the Web‐based weight control program alone.Methods: Healthy individuals (N = 398, 24% minority) with overweight/obesity were randomized to a 36‐session group Internet behavioral weight control treatment (BT) or the same group Internet treatment plus six individual MI chat sessions (BT + MI). Both conditions received weekly synchronous online chat group sessions for 6 months followed by 12 monthly group chats. Participants in both groups received identical behavioral lessons and individualized therapist feedback on progress toward meeting exercise and calorie goals. BT + MI also received six individual MI sessions delivered by a separate MI counselor via Web chat. Weight loss was measured at 6 and 18 months.Results: There were no significant differences in weight loss between BT (−5.5 ± 6.0 kg) and BT + MI (−5.1 ± 6.3 kg) at 6 months or at 18 months (−3.3 ± 7.1 kg vs. −3.5 ± 7.7 kg for BT and BT + MI, respectively). Attendance at group chats did not differ between groups, nor did self‐monitoring patterns, suggesting comparable engagement in the weight control program in both conditions.Conclusions: Online MI chat sessions were not a viable strategy to enhance Web‐based weight control treatment outcomes.