Abstract
BackgroundAn understanding of the dietary behaviors linked to substantial postpartum weight retention, particularly in women diagnosed with gestational diabetes (GDM), is warranted to focus intervention efforts to prevent future type 2 diabetes. This study evaluates the relationship between dietary food intake at 6–9 weeks postpartum (baseline) and odds of substantial postpartum weight retention (≥ 5 kg) at 1-year in women with GDM.MethodsThe Study of Women, Infant Feeding and Type 2 Diabetes after GDM pregnancy (SWIFT) is a prospective multi-ethnic cohort (75% minority) of 1035 women (aged 20–45 years) with recent GDM who delivered a singleton, live birth (≥35 weeks gestation) and underwent 2-h 75 g OGTTs, anthropometric measurements and other assessments at 6–9 weeks postpartum (baseline) and annually thereafter. Eight hundred and eighty-eight women without diabetes at baseline completed the 18-item PrimeScreen to assess dietary intake and the 13-item Caffeine Survey to assess beverage intake, and completed 1-year follow-up. Average postpartum weight retention was calculated (1-year postpartum weight minus pre-pregnancy weight). Multivariable logistic regression models that estimated baseline dietary intake and odds of substantial postpartum weight retention (SPPWR ≥5 kg above pre-pregnancy weight) versus not SPPWR adjusted for numerous clinical, sociodemographic and behavioral covariates.ResultsCompared to eating no fried foods, women who reported eating fried foods ≥5 servings/wk. (n = 32) and 2–4 serv/wk. (n = 208), respectively, had a three-fold and two-fold higher odds of SPPWR (OR = 3.38, 95% CI:1.36–8.38, P = 0.009; OR = 1.99, 95% CI:1.30–3.03, P = 0.02), after adjustment for covariates and other foods and soda intake. Soda intake ≥2 serv/wk. versus none was associated with higher odds of SPPWR (OR = 1.95, 95% CI:1.22–3.11, P = 0.005) adjusted for fried foods and covariates, but was attenuated (OR = 1.61,95% CI:0.98–2.66, p = 0.06) after addition of whole eggs and processed meats.ConclusionsThese findings indicate that interventions should focus on reducing fried foods and soda intake during early postpartum periods to reduce substantial postpartum weight retention in high-risk women with GDM.Trial registrationNCT01967030; October 2013, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Health and Human Development (NICHD).
Highlights
An understanding of the dietary behaviors linked to substantial postpartum weight retention, in women diagnosed with gestational diabetes (GDM), is warranted to focus intervention efforts to prevent future type 2 diabetes
Women with substantial PPWR at 1-year postpartum compared to those women with normal PPWR were younger, Non-Hispanic White (NHW), Non-Hispanic Black (NHB), or Hispanic, had lower education levels, were more likely to receive WIC benefits, had higher pre-pregnancy BMI, increased gestational weight gain (GWG), higher prevalence of pre-diabetes at baseline, increased transition of prediabetes or type 2 diabetes (T2D) at 1-year, and had decreased breastfeeding durations (P < 0.02)
Using chi-square tests, the following diet variables differed by PPWR categories: whole eggs (P = 0.03), processed meats (P = 0.03), fried foods (P = 0.0005), and soda intake per day (P = 0.005)
Summary
An understanding of the dietary behaviors linked to substantial postpartum weight retention, in women diagnosed with gestational diabetes (GDM), is warranted to focus intervention efforts to prevent future type 2 diabetes. This study evaluates the relationship between dietary food intake at 6–9 weeks postpartum (baseline) and odds of substantial postpartum weight retention (≥ 5 kg) at 1-year in women with GDM. Being overweight or obese before pregnancy, as well as excessive gestational weight gain (GWG), are leading risk factors for developing GDM [2, 3]. In more than 600 Hispanic women with GDM, a postpartum weight gain of 4.5 kg was independently associated with a twofold increase in the risk of developing diabetes [5]. Pregnancy weight retention can vary greatly, with 20% of women in general having substantial postpartum weight retention (SPPWR), defined as ≥5 kg at 1 year postpartum [7], and women with GWG above recommendations retaining the most weight [8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
