Researchers are testing whether personalized text messages through WhatsApp can help pregnant women gain the right amount of weight and prevent complications like gestational diabetes and high blood pressure. According to Gram Research analysis, this randomized controlled trial in Iran will use the Fogg behavior model, a science-based approach to changing behavior, to deliver customized nutrition and exercise counseling throughout pregnancy. If successful, this technology-based approach could make pregnancy weight management easier and more accessible for women worldwide.
Researchers in Iran are testing a new way to help pregnant women manage their weight during pregnancy using text messages and a smartphone app. The study uses a proven behavior-change method called the Fogg model to send personalized advice about nutrition and exercise through WhatsApp. According to Gram Research analysis, this approach could help prevent serious pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, and early delivery. The study will compare pregnant women who receive this text-based counseling with those who receive standard care to see if personalized messages really help women gain the right amount of weight for a healthy pregnancy.
Key Statistics
A randomized controlled trial protocol published in 2026 plans to test WhatsApp-based counseling using the Fogg behavior model to help pregnant women achieve appropriate weight gain and reduce risks of gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, and early delivery.
Research shows that inappropriate weight gain during pregnancy, whether too much or too little, causes complications for both mother and baby, with excessive weight gain increasing risks of gestational diabetes and hypertension that personalized text-message counseling may help prevent.
The Fogg behavior model, which focuses on making healthy behaviors easier and more motivating, is being applied to pregnancy weight management through mobile technology to help pregnant women maintain balanced nutrition and exercise throughout pregnancy.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether personalized text messages and WhatsApp counseling based on behavior science can help pregnant women gain the right amount of weight during pregnancy
- Who participated: Pregnant women in Qom, Iran will be randomly assigned to either receive personalized weight management counseling through WhatsApp or standard pregnancy care
- Key finding: This is a study protocol (the plan for a study), not yet completed results. The researchers expect that text-based counseling using the Fogg behavior model will help pregnant women achieve healthy weight gain and reduce pregnancy complications
- What it means for you: If this study shows positive results, pregnant women may soon be able to receive personalized nutrition and exercise advice through their phones, making it easier to manage weight gain during pregnancy and reduce risks of complications like gestational diabetes and high blood pressure
The Research Details
This is a randomized controlled trial, which is one of the strongest types of research studies. Researchers will recruit pregnant women in Iran and randomly divide them into two groups: one group will receive personalized counseling through WhatsApp based on the Fogg behavior model, while the other group will receive standard pregnancy care. The Fogg model is a science-based approach that helps people change their behavior by making it easy to do the right thing and motivating them with small wins.
The study will use WhatsApp or another messaging app to send pregnant women personalized advice about nutrition, exercise, and weight management throughout their pregnancy. This approach allows researchers to provide continuous support and track how well the intervention works. All participants will be followed throughout their pregnancy to measure how much weight they gain and track health outcomes for both mother and baby.
The researchers will analyze two groups of participants: everyone who started the study (to see real-world results) and only those who completed the full program (to see how well it works when people follow it completely). This approach helps researchers understand both the practical effectiveness and the potential benefits of the intervention.
Weight gain during pregnancy is tricky, too much or too little can cause serious problems for both mother and baby. Excessive weight gain increases the risk of gestational diabetes (high blood sugar during pregnancy), high blood pressure, and early delivery. Too little weight gain can also harm the baby’s development. Using technology like WhatsApp to deliver personalized counseling makes it easier for pregnant women to get support whenever they need it, without having to travel to a clinic. The Fogg behavior model is specifically designed to help people make lasting behavior changes, making it a promising approach for this important health challenge.
This is a well-designed study protocol from a peer-reviewed journal, which means experts have reviewed the plan. However, this paper describes the study plan, not actual results yet. The randomized controlled trial design is the gold standard for testing whether an intervention actually works. The study’s strength depends on how many women participate and how well they stick with the program. The use of a specific behavior-change model (Fogg) shows the researchers are using evidence-based methods rather than just guessing what might work.
What the Results Show
This paper is a study protocol, meaning the research hasn’t been completed yet and actual results are not available. The researchers are planning to measure total weight gain during pregnancy as their main outcome. They will compare how much weight women in the text-message counseling group gain compared to women receiving standard care. The study will also track whether the counseling helps prevent complications like gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, and early delivery.
The researchers expect that personalized WhatsApp counseling based on the Fogg behavior model will help pregnant women gain the appropriate amount of weight for their body type. The Fogg model focuses on making healthy behaviors easier and more motivating, which should help women stick with good nutrition and exercise habits throughout pregnancy.
Once the study is completed, researchers will analyze whether the text-based intervention actually reduces excessive or insufficient weight gain compared to standard care. They will also examine whether this approach reduces pregnancy complications and improves outcomes for newborns.
Beyond weight gain, the researchers plan to track several other important pregnancy outcomes including rates of gestational diabetes, pregnancy-related high blood pressure, early delivery, and newborn health measures. These secondary outcomes are important because they show whether managing weight gain actually prevents the serious complications that excessive weight gain can cause. The study will also likely measure how satisfied pregnant women are with the text-message counseling and whether they find it helpful and easy to use.
Previous research shows that counseling and support during pregnancy can help women manage weight gain, but many pregnant women don’t have easy access to regular counseling appointments. Using technology like WhatsApp addresses this barrier by making support available anytime. The Fogg behavior model is based on decades of research about how people actually change their behavior, making it a more sophisticated approach than simple advice-giving. This study combines these proven elements, counseling, technology, and behavior science, in a way that hasn’t been thoroughly tested in pregnant populations yet.
This paper describes the study plan, not completed results, so we don’t yet know if the approach actually works. The study will only include pregnant women in one city in Iran, so results may not apply to pregnant women in other countries with different healthcare systems or cultures. The study’s success depends on women actually using the WhatsApp app regularly and following the advice, which can be challenging. We don’t know yet how many women will participate or whether enough will complete the full study to give reliable results. Additionally, the study doesn’t describe how the personalized counseling will be created or who will provide it, which could affect how well the intervention works.
The Bottom Line
This study is still in the planning stage, so no recommendations can be made yet based on actual results. However, if you’re pregnant and interested in managing your weight gain, talking with your healthcare provider about nutrition and exercise is always a good idea. Once this study is completed and shows positive results, text-based counseling through WhatsApp could become a helpful tool to add to standard pregnancy care. For now, pregnant women should follow their doctor’s guidance on healthy weight gain based on their pre-pregnancy weight.
This research is most relevant to pregnant women who want to manage their weight gain and reduce pregnancy complications, as well as healthcare providers who care for pregnant women. It’s also important for health technology developers and public health officials looking for ways to improve pregnancy outcomes. Women with a history of gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, or excessive weight gain in previous pregnancies may find this approach particularly helpful once it’s proven effective.
Since this is a study protocol, the actual research hasn’t started yet. Once the study begins, it will likely take 1-2 years to recruit participants, deliver the intervention, and collect results. After that, researchers will need several months to analyze the data and publish findings. So realistic results probably won’t be available for 2-3 years. Even after publication, it would take additional time for this approach to be adopted by healthcare systems and made available to pregnant women.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can text messages really help pregnant women manage their weight during pregnancy?
A new study is testing this approach using WhatsApp counseling based on the Fogg behavior model. While results aren’t available yet, previous research suggests that regular support and personalized advice can help pregnant women achieve healthy weight gain and reduce complications like gestational diabetes.
What is the Fogg behavior model and how does it help with pregnancy weight management?
The Fogg model is a science-based approach that helps people change behavior by making healthy choices easier and more motivating. For pregnancy, it means sending personalized, timely reminders about nutrition and exercise through WhatsApp, making it simpler for women to maintain healthy habits throughout pregnancy.
How much weight should a pregnant woman gain during pregnancy?
The ideal amount of weight gain depends on your pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI). Generally, women with normal weight should gain 25-35 pounds, underweight women 28-40 pounds, and overweight women 15-25 pounds. Your healthcare provider can tell you your specific target range.
What are the risks of gaining too much weight during pregnancy?
Excessive weight gain during pregnancy increases the risk of gestational diabetes (high blood sugar), pregnancy-related high blood pressure, early delivery, and complications during childbirth. These conditions can affect both mother and baby’s health, which is why managing weight gain is important.
When will this WhatsApp pregnancy counseling be available to use?
This study is still in the planning stage and hasn’t produced results yet. Once the research is completed and shows positive results, likely in 2-3 years, healthcare providers may begin offering this text-based counseling as part of standard pregnancy care.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track weekly weight gain in pounds or kilograms, comparing actual weight to the recommended weight gain range for your stage of pregnancy based on your pre-pregnancy BMI. Record this every 1-2 weeks to spot trends early.
- Set up weekly WhatsApp or app reminders for nutrition check-ins and exercise goals. Log one healthy meal choice and one 15-30 minute activity session daily to build the habit gradually, making small changes easier to maintain.
- Create a simple dashboard showing cumulative weight gain over pregnancy weeks with a target range overlay. Track nutrition (servings of vegetables, protein, whole grains) and activity minutes weekly. Share progress with your healthcare provider at each appointment to adjust goals if needed.
This article describes a research study protocol that has not yet been completed. The findings discussed are theoretical expectations, not proven results. Pregnant women should always follow their healthcare provider’s personalized recommendations for weight gain based on their individual health status and pre-pregnancy weight. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. If you have concerns about your weight gain during pregnancy, gestational diabetes, or any pregnancy-related health issues, consult your obstetrician or midwife immediately. Do not make significant changes to your diet or exercise routine during pregnancy without first discussing them with your healthcare provider.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.
