The R. Samuel McLaughlin Foundation Exercise and Pregnancy Lab at 深夜福利站 is one of the leading research labs in North America actively investigating metabolic changes in exercising pregnant and postpartum women. Outlined below are some of the current and past research projects that have helped the lab become a world leader in the generation of knowledge in this area.
Timeline:
2026 Spring -
Summary:
The purpose of this study is to investigate a nutrition and exercise program that is based on Arab Muslim culture and religion so that diabetes and excessive weight gain during pregnancy can be prevented. The nutrition and the exercise components are based on the Arab Muslim culture and religion with the continuous collaboration from the community. It is expected that study participation will last about 20-23 weeks during pregnancy starting between 12 and 18 weeks of gestational age until delivery.
Link: Get Involved
Timeline:
2025 -
Summary:
The purpose of this study is to explore how quality of life changes during the three trimesters of pregnancy in Arab individuals of Middle Eastern descent who immigrated to Canada. We also ask questions about food security since it is a major part of quality of life. Findings will provide insight into the overall well-being during pregnancy and help inform future interventions for this population in a culturally sensitive and appropriate way to prevent diabetes during pregnancy.
Timeline:
2024 -
Summary:
The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether having a choice of intervention strategies (nutrition and physical activity) impact the health of the mother and the baby. We are interested in helping individuals eat healthy and participate in an active pregnancy to prevent health problems, that arise from gaining excessive weight during pregnancy.
Link:
Timeline: 2024 - 2025
Summary: The purpose of the study is to learn about the influence of culture and religion on nutrition and physical activity behaviors during pregnancy in Arab Muslim individuals. Knowledge gained will help modify a nutrition and physical activity intervention that is sensitive to the feelings and beliefs of this community to prevent diabetes during pregnancy.
Funding Source: Canadian Institute of Health Research and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Canada; Children’s Health Research Institute
Timeline: 2017 - 2022
Summary: The purpose of this study is to investigate three strategies to achieve healthy weight gain. The study will start between 12-18 weeks of pregnancy and continue until 12 months after your baby is born.
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Collaborating Institution: Iowa State University
NELIP: Nutrition and Exercise Lifestsyle Intervention Program
Timeline: Completed 2017
Summary: What is NELIP? The Nutrition and Exercise Lifestyle Intervention Program is a nutrition and walking program developed to:
We hypothesize that the evidence-based NELIP for pregnant women will be feasible to adopt in a clinical setting and will prevent excess gestational weight gain, gestational diabetes and promote healthy infant growth patterns at 6 and 12 months postpartum.
Funded by:
Timeline: Completed 2016
Summary: The purpose of this study is to investigate two strategies to achieve healthy weight gain. The study will start between 12-17 weeks of pregnancy and continue until six months after your baby is born. We also hope to improve health measures in mothers and infants at six months post-partum.
Publications:
Funded by:
Collaborating Institution: McMaster University
A Nutrition & Exercise Lifestyle Intervention Program (NELIP) for women with gestational diabetes
Timeline: Completed 2012
Summary: The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is as high as 18% in certain populations with over 60% requiring insulin. The primary treatment in the conventional management of gestational diabetes is nutrition therapy, however, physical activity is also encouraged. We used accelerometers to quantify physical activity in pregnant women with GDM and as a result, have developed exercise guidelines to help delay or prevent insulin injections.
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Funding Partners:
Preventing Childhood Obesity: Early intervention during pregnancy and first year postpartum for overweight and obese women using a two-pronged family-based Nutrition & Exercise Lifestyle Intervention Program (NELIP).
Timeline: 2010-2014
Summary: Our longitudinal aim was to reduce obesity, chronic disease and cardiovascular risks in overweight and obese women and their families. The approach of this study included healthy food choices and increased physical actiivity. This was initiated during pregnancy and re-instated in the early period after delivery for overweight and obese women.
Clinical Trial:
Funding Partners: and
Capacity-building and participatory research development of a community-based Nutrition & Exercise Lifestyle Intervention Program (NELIP) for pregnant and post-partum Aboriginal women.
Summary: We have developed a successful intervention tool called the Nutrition and Exercise Lifestyle Intervention Program (NELIP) that prevents excessive gain weight and weight retention, and regulates blood sugar concentrations during pregnancy. The information gathered in this study is the first step in determining strategies to develop community-based NELIP for pregnant Aboriginal women.
Publication: Mottola, MF, Sopper, MM, Doxtator, L, Big-Canoe, K, Prapavessis, H, Harris, S, Hanley, A (2011). The International Indigenous Policy Journal, 2(1).
Funding Partners:
NELIP: Nutrition and Exercise Lifestsyle Intervention Program
Timeline: 2012-2015
Summary: What is NELIP? The Nutrition and Exercise Lifestyle Intervention Program is a nutrition and walking program developed to:
We hypothesize that the evidence-based NELIP for pregnant women will be feasible to adopt in a clinical setting and will prevent excess gestational weight gain, gestational diabetes and promote healthy infant growth patterns at 6 and 12 months postpartum.
Funded by:
