Healthy Habits During and After Gestational Diabetes

Overview

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with an increased risk of childhood obesity and other adverse health outcomes. Early-life nutrition, particularly exclusive breastfeeding, plays an important role in reducing this risk. In Vietnam, infant feeding and childcare practices are strongly influenced by family members, including husbands, grandparents, and parents-in-law. The Healthy Habits During and After Gestational Diabetes (VALID III) trial aims to evaluate the effect of a co-created family-based health intervention on improving infant feeding practices and childhood body composition among children born to women with GDM. The intervention includes counseling, peer support, digital health components, educational materials, and follow-up support for nutrition, infant feeding practices, physical activity, and GDM management from pregnancy through 24 months after birth. Participants in the control group will receive standard care together with access to a GDM management website. The primary objective is to evaluate the effect of the intervention on the duration of exclusive breastfeeding during the first 180 days after birth. Secondary objectives include evaluating exclusive breastfeeding at 6 months, child fat mass index at 24 months, and broader maternal and child health and wellbeing outcomes.

Background Childhood obesity is a major global health burden, with increasing prevalence in many Asian countries, including Vietnam. However, health policies and programs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) often rely on evidence generated in settings that may not be directly applicable, limiting the effectiveness of interventions. Exposure to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with an increased risk of childhood obesity, while optimal early-life nutrition, particularly exclusive breastfeeding, may reduce this risk. In Vietnam, family members, including husbands, grandparents, and parents-in-law, have a substantial influence on infant feeding and childcare practices. These contextual factors highlight the need for family-based interventions to support healthy maternal and child behaviors following a pregnancy complicated by GDM. Objectives The Healthy Habits During and After Gestational Diabetes (VALID III) trial aims to evaluate the effect of the "Healthy Habits" family-based health intervention on improving infant feeding practices and childhood body composition among children born to women with GDM. The study will also assess the broader effects of the intervention on maternal and child health and wellbeing. Study Design This is a two-arm, parallel-group, superiority cluster randomised controlled trial with a 1:1 allocation of communes to either the intervention group (standard care plus the "Healthy Habits" intervention) or the control group (standard care plus access to a GDM management website). Pregnant women diagnosed with GDM between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation and their families will be recruited. Participants will be followed from pregnancy until 24 months after birth. Intervention The "Healthy Habits" intervention is a co-created family-based program delivered during pregnancy and continuing until 24 months postpartum. It includes counseling, peer support, digital health components, educational materials, and follow-up support focused on nutrition, infant feeding practices, physical activity, and GDM management, alongside routine clinical care. Outcome Assessment The primary outcome is the duration of exclusive breastfeeding during the first 180 days after birth. Secondary outcomes include the proportion of infants exclusively breastfed at 6 months, child fat mass index at 24 months after birth, process outcomes, and broader maternal and child health and wellbeing outcomes.