Project Description
Organization:
Los Angeles County Public Health: Reproductive Health
Summary:
Nearly one in two postpartum women in Los Angeles County (LAC) are overweight or obese when they become pregnant. Maternal obesity is associated with poor birth outcomes, lower breastfeeding rates, and chronic disease. Few weight loss interventions focus on women immediately postpartum. Choose Health LA Moms is a free text message and online weight loss program for weight loss postpartum. The three month program, available in English and Spanish, promotes three activities moms are already doing: breastfeeding, walking and drinking water. Recognizing the impact social determinants of health (SDH) play in weight loss, at the onset of the program, Choose Health LA Moms identifies and provides resources for the SDH affecting participants. Enrolled participants receive three weekly text messages on breastfeeding, walking, and drinking water, which direct them to additional health information and resources at ChooseHealthLAMoms.com. Recruitment has been through social media posts by the LA County Department of Public Health, community partners, and health organizations. Women that participated in the program lost 96% of the weight they gained during pregnancy. Participants reported that the text message reminders and online program facilitated their success. They liked the convenience that the program communicated with them via their smartphone, no matter where they were. They did not have to worry about transportation or childcare. Many shared the information they received with others, and reported that the program improved their health and their family’s as well.
To learn more visit the Choose Health LA Moms website.