A systems approach to reducing maternal obesity: The Health in Preconception, Pregnancy and Postbirth (HIPPP) Collaborative

Helen Skouteris; Terry Huang; Lynne Millar; Jill Kuhlberg; Jodie Dodd; Leonie Callaway; Della Forster; Clare Collins; Andrew Hills; Paul Harrison; Cate Nagle; Marj Moodie; Helena Teede

doi:10.1111/ajo.12341

A systems approach to reducing maternal obesity: The Health in Preconception, Pregnancy and Postbirth (HIPPP) Collaborative

Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. 2015 Aug;55(4):397-400. doi: 10.1111/ajo.12341. Epub 2015 Jun 30.

Authors

Helen Skouteris¹, Terry Huang², Lynne Millar³, Jill Kuhlberg⁴, Jodie Dodd⁵, Leonie Callaway⁶, Della Forster^{7

8}, Clare Collins⁹, Andrew Hills^{10

11}, Paul Harrison¹², Cate Nagle¹³, Marj Moodie¹⁴, Helena Teede¹⁵

Affiliations

¹ Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing Research, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia.
² Department of Health Promotion, Social and Behavioral Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
³ World Health Organisation Collaborating Centre for Obesity Prevention, School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
⁴ George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Washington University in St Louis, St Louis, Missouri, USA.
⁵ The Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, North Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
⁶ School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
⁷ Judith Lumley Centre, LaTrobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
⁸ Midwifery and Women's Services, The Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
⁹ School of Health Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.
¹⁰ Maternity & Neonatology, Mater Mother's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
¹¹ Mater Research Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
¹² Deakin Graduate School of Business, Deakin University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
¹³ School of Nursing and Midwifery, Deakin University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
¹⁴ Deakin Population Health, Deakin Health Economics, Deakin University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
¹⁵ Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

PMID: 26121995
DOI: 10.1111/ajo.12341

Abstract

Obesity in our childbearing population has increased to epidemic proportions in developed countries; efforts to address this issue need to focus on prevention. The Health in Preconception, Pregnancy and Postbirth (HIPPP) Collaborative - a group of researchers, practitioners, policymakers and end-users - was formed to take up the challenge to address this issue as a partnership. Application of systems thinking, participatory systems modelling and group model building was used to establish research questions aiming to optimise periconception lifestyle, weight and health. Our goal was to reduce the burden of maternal obesity through systems change.

Keywords: gestational weight gain; maternal obesity; preconception; pregnancy.

MeSH terms

Australia
Cooperative Behavior
Female
Health Policy
Health Promotion / methods*
Health Promotion / organization & administration
Humans
Interdisciplinary Communication
Maternal Health Services*
Models, Theoretical
Obesity / prevention & control*
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Complications / prevention & control*
Systems Analysis*