Postpartum behaviour as predictor of weight change from before pregnancy to one year postpartum

Abstract

BackgroundPostpartum weight retention affects many women and increases the risk of becoming overweight. The research objective was to study modifiable factors contributing to weight change at one year postpartum.MethodsIn this prospective cohort, postpartum behavior, such as physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleep, and intake of total energy, total fat and saturated fatty acids of 118 Dutch women were assessed in 2003/2004 by self-report at 6 weeks, 6 and 12 months postpartum. Mean postpartum scores were computed for the behavioral measures. In linear regression models it was determined which factors were associated with average weight change from before pregnancy to one year postpartum. Furthermore, factors associated with substantial postpartum weight retention (≥ 5 kg) were also studied in logistic regression models.ResultsAt one year postpartum, the average weight of participants had increased by 0.9 kg (SD 4.4). Moreover, 20% of the women retained ≥ 5 kg. Women who perceived themselves more physically active than others were almost ten times less likely to retain ≥ 5 kg than women who perceived themselves equally active (OR = 0.11, 95%CI: 0.02 - 0.66). Exceeding the guideline for saturated fatty acid intake (OR = 3.40, 95%CI: 1.04 - 11.11), total gestational weight gain (OR = 1.14/kg, 95%CI: 1.01 - 1.27), and not having completed post high school education (OR = 5.13, 95%CI: 1.66 - 15.90) increased the odds of retaining ≥ 5 kg.ConclusionsSince one in five women had substantial weight retention postpartum, effective interventions for the prevention of weight retention are much needed. Future studies should evaluate whether interventions focusing on the identified modifiable postpartum factors are successful in reducing weight retention after childbirth.

Maternal weight change from prepregnancy to 7 years postpartum—the influence of behavioral factors

“…Moreover, physical activity is in some (15), but not all (29) studies associated with a reduced risk of excessive gestational weight gain, and lower postpartum weight retention at 1 year (30). In accord with our findings, hours of TV viewing, has previously been associated with increased weight retention 1 year after delivery (10) and with a higher 6-year weight gain among middle-aged women (31).…”

A conceptual model of psychological predictors of postpartum weight retention

“…In postpartum samples, high levels of total energy intake has been associated with increased risk of weight retention (Oken, Taveras, Popoola, Rich-Edwards, & Gillman, 2007); however, quality of food may also be an important predictor of post-birth weight change (Althuizen, Van Poppel, De Vries, Seidell, & Van Mechelen, 2011). For example, high intake of trans fats (Oken et al, 2007) and saturated fats (Althuizen et al, 2011) predict substantial PWR; however, there are presently very few studies that specifically investigate the influence of dietary quality on PWR.…”

Excesso ponderal e marcadores de vulnerabilidade sociodemográfica em adultos jovens escolares

“…It showed that the frequency of women with a level of weight retention considered excessive during the postpartum period was high, reaching 15%, (14) which was also observed in international research. (15) However, as demonstrated in the initial model of this study, gender was not associated with EW, individually. This finding should be investigated more accurately in future studies, forecasting the possible relationship between gender and children.…”