Does Dietary and Lifestyle Counseling Prevent Excessive Weight Gain During Pregnancy? A Randomized Controlled Trial

"The intervention group will undergo a complete history and physical with attention to prepregnancy weight, current weight, height, and BMI. At the initial visit, they will meet with a registered dietician to receive a standardized counseling session, including information on pregnancy-specific dietary and lifestyle choices. The patient will be instructed to engage in moderate intensity exercise at least 3 times per week and preferably 5 times per week. They will also receive information on the appropriate weight gain during pregnancy using the IOM guidelines. Each subject will meet with the dietician only at the time of enrollment.~At each routine obstetric appointment, the participant's weight will be measured and charted on an IOM Gestational Weight Gain Grid in front of the participant. The healthcare provider will inform the participant if her weight gain was at the appropriate level and counsel her accordingly regarding increasing or decreasing her intake and exercise."