The Face-it Project
What is the aim of Face-it?
The aim of the Face-it project is to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and increase quality of life in families where the mother has had gestational diabetes. This is done by promoting physical activity, healthy eating habits and breastfeeding.
Why focus on gestational diabetes?
In Denmark, gestational diabetes is diagnosed in approximately 6% of all pregnant women. This corresponds to around 2500 pregnancies a year. During the first 10 years after pregnancy, approximately half of the women will develop type 2 diabetes. Physical activity and eating habits can help prevent or delay the development of type 2 diabetes. Despite this, there is no current systematic preventive postpartum serivce for this group in Denmark. Listen to our business partners talk about the Face-it project here.
Why is the intervention targeted at families?
Children of mothers with previous gestational diabetes have an increased risk of being overweight and develop diabetes later in life. Likewise, partners for women with previous gestational diabetes have an increased risk of diabetes compared to partners of women without gestational diabetes. In addition, support from family members is an important in determinant og health behaviour.
What does the intervention consist of?
The Face-it intervention focus on the family in the first year following a pregnancy affected by gestational diabetes. The intervention begins when the child is approximately 10-14 weeks old.
Participants are divided into two groups - a group that receives the standard care and a group that receives the Face-it intervention.
All participants in the Face-it project receive two health examinations:
1st health examination: approx. 10-14 weeks after delivery
2nd health examination: approx. 12 months after delivery
PI Helle Terkildsen Maindal introduces the Face-it project
What is the program theory for Face-it?
Program theory for the Face-it intervention developed by the Face-it group. © Face-it Group
Who can participate in Face-it?
You can participate if you:
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Have gestational diabetes
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Are to give birth at either Aarhus University Hospital (Skejby), Odense University Hospital or Rigshospitalet
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Live in Odense, Aarhus or Copenhagen Municipality
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Can read and understand an informed consent in Danish
Practical information
The project began in 2019 and is expected to be complete in 2023. The project was initiated by researchers from Aarhus University and Steno Diabetes Center Copenhagen. Read more about the project here.
All collected information will be treated confidentially and in accordance with the Personal Data Ordinance and the Data Protection Act.
If you are interested in learning more about the project, you can contact the Face-it project group at:
Mail: faceit.sdcc@regionh.dk
