Impact of Perinatal Weight Change on Long-Term Obesity and Obesity-Related Illnesses

Abstract

Excess pregnancy weight gain and failure to lose weight in an appreciable time are indicators of obesity in midlife. Excess weight gain and obesity status are predictors of diabetes and heart disease, although pregnancy-related weight changes alone are not directly related.

Weight six years after childbirth: A follow-up of obese women in a weight-gain restriction programmme

“…A number of studies report results concerning weight change at different times after childbirth (Linne et al, 2004, Rooney and Schauberger, 2002, Rooney et al, 2005, Mamun et al, 2010, Olson et al, 2004, Amorim et al, 2007, Maddah and Nikooyeh, 2009). Olson et al, (2004) monitored 560 normal and overweight women in an intervention group.…”

“…The women in both the intervention and the control groups weighed less after six years than they weighed in early pregnancy. In another study by Rooney et al, (2005) the weight gain in relation to different BMI classes was analysed. The weight gain was more pronounced for women who were obese in early pregnancy, compared with those who were under-, normal-or overweight.…”

“…The weight gain was more pronounced for women who were obese in early pregnancy, compared with those who were under-, normal-or overweight. Obese women were on average 15.5 kg heavier 15 years later (Rooney et al, 2005). In a recent Australian study the long-term effect of gestational weight gain, based on the IOM recommendations, was examined 21 years after the index pregnancy (Mamun et al, 2010).…”

“…A large weight gain during pregnancy may result in large weight retention post partum and several years later (Linne et al, 2004, Rooney and Schauberger, 2002, Rooney et al, 2005. Linne et al,(2004) showed in a 15-year follow-up study, encompassing 563 participants, that women with high gestational weight gain and high weight retention during the post partum year had a higher body mass index (BMI) 15 years later.…”

“…Linne et al,(2004) showed in a 15-year follow-up study, encompassing 563 participants, that women with high gestational weight gain and high weight retention during the post partum year had a higher body mass index (BMI) 15 years later. Rooney and Schauberger (2002) and Rooney et al, (2005) followed a cohort of 500 women through pregnancy and reported results from 8-year and 15-year follow-up studies. The average weight gain was slightly more than six kilos and almost ten kilos from pre-pregnancy to the follow-up assessment eight and 15 years later, respectively.…”