This study aims to support new mothers with adopting healthier lifestyle behaviours through automated simple text messages that contain tips on healthy eating habits and physical activity. The SMS study was developed in recognition of the fact that many women express a desire for help with eating well, being more active and managing their weight after pregnancy, but there is no service to provide support that fits with being a busy mum.
The text messages were developed and tested with the help of women who live in Northern Ireland in an initial pilot study. After receiving texts for 12 months, women felt the texts were supportive and motivating, and it was indicated that the messages may have helped some women to lose weight and make positive changes to their diet and exercise, compared with women who did not receive the lifestyle-related messages.
Given the positive results of this pilot study, the National Institute for Health Research provided further funding for a larger-scale UK-wide study. If the intervention is shown to be effective in supporting new mums with weight management, we would seek to implement it as a routine NHS
service.
Women who take part in the study receive daily text messages for one year on one of the following two topics: 1) Diet and physical activity to help with weight management OR 2) Information about child health and development. Women will be asked to meet with the SMS study researchers four times over a 24-month period to collect some information from them, and complete a questionnaire about their health and wellbeing at each of these time points. To take part in the study, women must have had a baby within the past two years, must own a mobile phone, and must have a BMI of 25 kg/m2 or over.
