MAGNOLIA Study

Understanding Metabolism and Nutrition During Pregnancy

About the Study

The MAGNOLIA Study (Metabolism, Autonomic Nervous System, and Gestational Nutrition Over Longitudinal Assessments) is a research project designed to understand how maternal obesity and prenatal nutrition affect metabolism and heart health during pregnancy.

Why is This Study Important?

Pregnancy is a time of major changes in a woman’s body. We want to learn more about how metabolism and the autonomic nervous system (which controls heart rate and other automatic body functions) adapt during pregnancy—especially in women with different body types. Our goal is to gather information that may help improve maternal health in the future.

Who Can Participate?

We are looking for pregnant women between 12 and 18 weeks gestation who meet the following criteria:

• Aged 18 years or older.
• Pre-pregnancy BMI between 18.5-24.9 kg/m² or 30-40 kg/m².
• Expecting a single baby (not twins or multiples).
• Pregnant with your first or second baby or have not previously carried a viable pregnancy (those who have experienced pregnancy loss at any stage may still be eligible).
• Have access to a smartphone and internet.
• Speak English.

What Will Participants Do?

• Wear a Garmin VivoSmart watch to track heart rate and activity.
• Complete diet and physical activity questionnaires.
• Provide two blood samples (once at the beginning and once between 28-32 weeks of pregnancy).
• Have medical records reviewed after delivery to collect relevant health information.

Study Duration

Your participation will last from 12-18 weeks of pregnancy until delivery (about 5 months).

Benefits of Participating

• Receive a Garmin VivoSmart watch to monitor heart rate and activity.
• Contribute to important research that may improve pregnancy care in the future.
• Receive $100 total compensation ($50 at enrollment, $50 at the second visit).

Is This Study Safe?

Yes! This is an observational study, meaning there is no medical treatment or intervention involved. The study procedures (wearing a watch, answering questions, and blood draws) are safe and commonly used in research.

How to Join

You can contact the study team at 913-945-9149 or click the button below and fill out a short interest form.

Interest Form

DHA Food Frequency Questionnaire in WIC (Women, Infants, Children)

We are currently implementing a questionnaire in WIC clinics throughout the state of Kansas to gauge DHA consumption before pregnancy, during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

This quick seven-item questionnaire asks about consumption of DHA-rich foods and supplements to get an average intake amount of DHA per day. The questionnaire gives feedback if they should consider supplementation and will help us understand current DHA intake among women throughout the state of Kansas.

DHA Food Frequency Questionnaire at KU Medical Center

The DHA food frequency questionnaire has recently been implemented in the KU Medical Center OBGYN clinic’s EMR as part of their standard of care to gauge DHA consumption during pregnancy.

This quick seven-item questionnaire asks about consumption of DHA-rich foods and supplements to get an average intake amount of DHA per day. The questionnaire provides current DHA intake in real time for pregnant women and gives feedback as to whether they should consider supplementation. The provider and patient can then have a discussion about improving DHA intake through the diet and/or supplement recommendations.

As we have previously seen that DHA supplementation can reduce preterm birth, we are also harnessing this data to also look at rates of preterm birth at KU Medical Center given daily DHA intake.

If you are interested in discovering your own DHA intake, you can take this short survey to assess how much DHA you are consuming!

DHA Food Frequency Questionnaire