Association between gestational depression and weight management behaviors during pregnancy: A cross-sectional study in Eastern China

Abstract

An undesirable psychological state may deteriorate individual's weight management-related behaviors. This study aims to see if ineffective weight control measures were linked to depressive symptoms during pregnancy. We conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire survey of 784 pregnant women and collected information on sociodemographic factors, maternal characteristics, depression, and weight management activities throughout pregnancy (exercise management, dietary management, self-monitoring regulation, and management objectives). About 17.5% of pregnant women exhibited depressive symptoms. The mean score on dietary management was upper-middle, exercise management and self-monitoring regulation were medium, and management objectives were lower-middle. Multivariable linear regression analysis revealed that pregnant women with depressive symptoms had lower levels of exercise management (β = −1.585, p = 0.005), dietary management (adjusted β = −0.984, p = 0.002), and management objectives (adjusted β = −0.726, p = 0.009). However, there was no significant relationship between depressive symptoms and pregnant women's self-monitoring regulating behavior (p > 0.05). The findings indicated the inverse association between depressive symptoms and gestational weight management behaviors. These results offer important indications for pregnancy weight management professionals by highlighting the need for mental health interventions for pregnant women experiencing depressive symptoms.

Effect of biological, psychological, and social factors on maternal depressive symptoms in late pregnancy: a cross-sectional study

“…The pandemic situation during the study period and the specific measures taken to contain the virus and mitigate its economic and social impact may also have contributed to the differences observed in the incidence of depression ( 38 ). The incidence of maternal depressive symptoms during late pregnancy in the current study was also much higher than that observed in the general Chinese population (2.1%) ( 18 ). The results of the current study indicate that women in the late pregnancy stage exhibit a higher risk of depression and that the early identification of depression symptoms and appropriate mental health interventions are urgently warranted to protect the mental health of these women.…”

“…Concomitantly, health-related education should also be provided to family members ( 39 ). Greater social support for pregnant women may be a viable way to reduce depressive symptoms in this population ( 18 ). This study found that poor social support was associated with maternal depressive symptoms in late pregnancy.…”

“…Maternal depression may affect child outcomes by altering placental function, causing epigenetic changes in children, and triggering stress responses ( 16 , 17 ). In addition, pregnant women with comorbid depression exhibited lower levels of exercise management, diet management, and management goals, which can lead to weight-management problems in pregnant women, affecting various maternal and child health outcomes ( 18 ). In some cases, depressed pregnant women even commit suicide, which can seriously affect families and society ( 19 ).…”

Exploring the relationship between sunlight exposure, psychological health, and gestational weight gain: a prospective observational study

“…Maternal psychological health, which refers to a woman’s mental and emotional well-being during pregnancy, has been found to play a crucial role in GWG through epigenetic changes [ 13 ]. Increased levels of stress, anxiety, and depression during pregnancy have been linked to unfavorable GWG and positive psychological health has been linked with healthier GWG [ 14 ]. The mechanism related to this was found to be interplayed with maternal sleep quality and dietary choices.…”