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The MAMAS Study

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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What is the MAMAS study?

The MAMAS study is built on the premise that simple recommendations for diet and exercise may not be enough to encourage healthy weight gain during pregnancy. Psychological skills training may be necessary to help women deal with stress and cravings; learn to regulate difficult emotions; increase awareness; and encourage healthy eating and physical activity. The MAMAS study is adapting and testing two interventions – “Moms in Joy,” based on Emotional Brain Training (EBT) (developed by Laurel Mellin) and “Mindful Moms,” based on the Mindful Motherhood Training (developed by Cassandra Vieten, PhD), Mindfulness-Based-Eating and Awareness Training (MB-EAT) (developed by Jean Kristeller, PhD), and other mindfulness- and acceptance-based interventions. In the first phase of this study, we conducted in-depth focus groups with over 60 overweight, low to middle-income, pregnant women to learn more about what they might be looking for in such an intervention. In the next phase, which began in fall 2010, 60 low- to middle-income overweight pregnant women will be randomly assigned to one of the interventions. The goal of this study is to find out whether these kinds of interventions can help women achieve healthy weight gain during pregnancy and reduce stress.

Who is conducting this study?

Drs. Barbara Laraia, Elissa Epel and Nancy Adler at the University of California, San Francisco are the principal investigators on this study. Dr. Cassandra Vieten is the Principal Investigator at California Pacific Medical Center’s Research Institute. This study is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Who will participate in the study?

We are seeking 60 low- to middle-income pregnant women, 18 – 45 years old, who are overweight/obese (BMI 25-40).

What are participants asked to do?

Eligible participants are asked to participate in either the “Moms in Joy” or “Mindful Moms” intervention in two-hour sessions that meet once a week for eight weeks. Participants are assessed by researchers at UCSF prior to the intervention, after the intervention, and postpartum. Assessments include questionnaires, interviews, blood draws, body measurements, ultrasounds, and other psychosocial and physiological measures.

What are the costs and risks associated with participating in this study?

There are no costs to participants; they are paid up to $475 for their time and effort. The risks of participating are primarily loss of time, potential loss of privacy, and inconvenience. There is potential for boredom, stress or discomfort to participants when they participate in the interventions, when their blood is being drawn, when completing questionnaires, having body measurements taken and when waiting for results of an ultrasound. All information is kept confidential within the limits of the law.

Who can I contact for more information?

If you would like more information about the study, please contact Dr. Barbara Laraia at (415) 476-7655

If you are a pregnant woman who might like to participate, or know someone who might be eligible, please contact Nina Fry, MA, Study Coordinator, at (415) 600-5772 or momshealthstudy@gmail.com.

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