Abstract
Postpartum mental health issues are common, yet predictors are less understood. Pre-pregnancy weight and weight change during pregnancy through the postpartum period may be associated with postpartum mental health issues. PURPOSE: To investigate the associations between postpartum depressive symptoms and 1) pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), 2) weight gain during pregnancy, 3) weight loss at 6 months postpartum, and 4) postpartum weight retention (PPWR). METHODS: Women (n=323) who gave birth within the past 12 months completed an online survey assessing demographics, self-reported pre-pregnancy weight and height (to calculate pre-pregnancy BMI), weight gain during pregnancy, weight loss at 6 months postpartum (to calculate weight retention at 6 months), and current weight (to calculate PPWR). The 10-item Centers for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D 10) measured postpartum depressive symptoms. Regression models examined the relationship between postpartum depressive symptoms and 1) pre-pregnancy BMI, 2) weight gain during pregnancy (controlling for pre-pregnancy BMI), 3) weight loss at 6 months postpartum (controlling for weight gain), and 4) PPWR (controlling for months postpartum). RESULTS: On average, women were 30.1±3.9 years of age and 5.5±3.7 months postpartum. Mean pre-pregnancy BMI was 27.5±6.8 kg/m2, and weight gain was 29.8±14.1 pounds. A majority were Caucasian (97%), married (88%), and college graduates (77%). Results showed a significant, positive relationship between postpartum depressive symptoms and 1) pre-pregnancy BMI (p=0.04) and 2) PPWR (p=0.04). A significant negative relationship was identified between postpartum depressive symptoms and weight loss at 6 months (p=0.01). There was no significant relationship between postpartum depressive symptoms and weight gain during pregnancy (p=0.93). CONCLUSION: Women with a higher pre-pregnancy BMI, higher PPWR, and lower weight lost at 6 months postpartum, may be at a greater risk for postpartum depressive symptoms; weight gain during pregnancy was not associated with postpartum depressive symptoms. Understanding factors associated with postpartum depressive symptoms can help develop and implement appropriate screenings/follow-ups and interventions among those at greatest risk.
Published Version
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