Associations Between Social Network Characteristics and Loneliness During Pregnancy in a Sample of Predominantly African American, Largely Publicly-Insured Women.

OBJECTIVES: Most research evaluating relationships between social network attributes and loneliness have focused on older adult and adolescent networks. The present study examines the relationships between social network size (number of relationships), social network density (whether named relationships are connected to one another) and maternal loneliness during pregnancy. METHODS: Eligible women were enrolled at the time of their dating ultrasound (between 8 and 12 weeks of gestation). Interested women provided written consent and completed demographic, social network and loneliness measures. Participants completed the same surveys in their third trimester. Mixed-regression models, adjusted for age, race, ethnicity, and insurance type, were used to assess the relationship between social network size, network density, and loneliness. RESULTS: A total of 94 pregnant women (mean age = 23.77, 70.2% Black, 87.2% public insurance) completed baseline study measures, and 60 participants completed both assessment time points. Completers and non-completers did not differ on key characteristics. Social network density, but not social network size, predicted maternal loneliness ([Formula: see text]= - 1.27, 95% CI - 2.53, - 0.01, p = 0.0489) in the first and third trimester. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that pregnant women's social network density may be more intimately related to feelings of loneliness than the objective number of relationships. This knowledge can begin to inform the design of supportive approaches to improve women's health.

Habit formation intervention to prevent obesity in low-income preschoolers and their mothers: A randomized controlled trial protocol.

BACKGROUND: Low-income and racial/ethnic minority mothers and their young children are at increased risk for obesity. Lack of access to evidence-based obesity prevention and treatment services further contributes to these disparities. METHODS: This two-arm, parallel, randomized controlled trial (RCT) tests the effectiveness of a simple obesity intervention (HABITS) delivered as part of ongoing home visitation services, compared to the existing home visitation services without obesity-related content on mothers' and children's obesity risks. HABITS focuses on habit formation and modifications of food and activity cues in the home to support habit formation. Habit formation is focused on improving five behaviors: 1) fruits/vegetables, 2) fried foods, 3) sugar-sweetened beverages, 4) physical activity and 5) self-monitoring. Participants will be 298 mothers (>50% African American; 100% low income) and their children (3-5yo at baseline) enrolled in a home visitation program in central Alabama. Home visitors will be randomly assigned to deliver the home visitation curriculum with or without HABITS as part of their weekly home visits for 9 months. Assessments of mothers (weight, waist circumference, and habit strength of targeted behaviors), children (rate of weight gain), and the food/activity household environment will be conducted at enrollment, post-intervention (9 month), and one year post-intervention follow-up. DISCUSSION: This research is poised to have a substantial impact because the delivery modalities of current obesity efforts disproportionally restrict the reach and engagement of underserved, low-income children and their caregivers who are most at-risk for health and obesity disparities.