Combined counseling based on the Fogg behavior model for managing weight gain in pregnant women: A randomized controlled trial protocol

Appropriate weight gain during pregnancy is essential, as inappropriate weight gain (too much or too little) has complications for both mother and baby, and the ideal amount depends on the mother’s body mass index. Balanced nutrition and exercise are the main foundations of a healthy pregnancy, and counseling during this period is an opportunity to promote maternal and fetal health and reduce risks such as preterm birth, gestational diabetes, and hypertension caused by excessive weight gain. This study aims to evaluate the effect of a combined counseling intervention program based on the fogg behavioral model using mobile phone technology (whatsapp or eta) on total gestational weight gain and perinatal outcomes. A randomized controlled trial in qom, iran, will recruit pregnant women to develop a whatsapp platform for individualized, continuous pregnancy weight management services based on the fogg behavior model. All participants will be included in the full analysis set (fas), while the per-protocol set (pps) will consist of women who completed the intervention and provided all outcome data. This study highlights the effectiveness of consultations utilizing the fogg model in managing appropriate weight gain during pregnancy. If the findings confirm that the fogg model-based counseling promotes healthy weight gain in pregnant women, this approach could be implemented during pregnancy to effectively minimize instances of excessive or inadequate weight gain to significantly reduce cases of excessive or insufficient weight gain.