Maternal weight in the postpartum: results from the Delta healthy sprouts trial

Lisa M Tussing-Humphreys,Melissa H Goodman,Alicia S Landry,Nefertiti Ojinjideka Hemphill,Jessica L Thomson

doi:10.1186/s40748-017-0058-9

Abstract

BackgroundExcessive postnatal weight retention may pose a threat to a woman’s health and future pregnancies. Women in the Lower Mississippi Delta (LMD) region of Mississippi suffer from among the highest rates of obesity in the U.S. and are more likely to gain an excessive amount of weight during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to determine if LMD women who received a lifestyle enhanced maternal, infant, and early childhood home visiting (MIECHV) curriculum had more favorable weight outcomes through 12-months postpartum compared to women who received a standard MIECHV curriculum.MethodsDelta Healthy Sprouts was a two-arm, randomized, controlled, comparative impact trial. Pregnant women at least 18 years of age, less than 19 weeks pregnant with a singleton pregnancy, and residing in the LMD region were recruited. On a monthly basis in the participant’s home, the control arm (PAT) received the Parents as Teachers curriculum while the experimental arm (PATE) received a lifestyle enhanced Parents as Teachers curriculum. Pre-pregnancy body weight via self-report and maternal body weight at baseline (gestational month 4) and at every subsequent monthly visit through 12 months postpartum was measured. Linear mixed models were used to test for significant treatment, time, and treatment by time effects on postnatal weight outcomes.ResultsMean postnatal weight losses were 0.8 and 1.1 kg at postnatal month (PM) 6 and PM 12, respectively, for PAT participants. Mean postnatal weight losses for PATE participants were 1.5 and 1.2 kg at PM 6 and PM 12, respectively. Mean weight retention, based on pre-pregnancy weight, were 5.2, 4.0, and 3.6 kg at PM 1, PM 6, and PM 12, respectively, for PAT participants. Mean weight retention for PATE participants were 6.3, 4.5, and 4.0 kg at PM 1, PM 6, and PM 12, respectively. Significant effects were not found for treatment, time, or treatment by time.ConclusionsAn enhanced MIECHV curriculum was not associated with more favorable postpartum weight outcomes when compared to a standard MIECHV curriculum in a cohort of LMD women during the 12 months following the birth of their infant. Trial registration: clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01746394. Registered 5 December 2012.

Highlights

Excessive postnatal weight retention may pose a threat to a woman’s health and future pregnancies
We found that the lifestyle-enhanced MIECHV curriculum was not associated with more favorable gestational weight gain outcomes compared to the standard MIECHV curriculum [21]
Significant effects were not found for treatment, time, or treatment by time

Summary

Introduction

Excessive postnatal weight retention may pose a threat to a woman’s health and future pregnancies. Women in the Lower Mississippi Delta (LMD) region of Mississippi suffer from among the highest rates of obesity in the U.S and are more likely to gain an excessive amount of weight during pregnancy. Perinatal lifestyle interventions promoting optimal gestational weight gain and postnatal weight management may have a significant effect on maternal and infant health. Women of reproductive age in the Lower Mississippi Delta (LMD) region of Mississippi suffer from among the highest rates of obesity in the nation [9]. Women residing in this area of the U.S are likely to gain an excessive amount of weight during pregnancy [10] and have unintended, closely spaced pregnancies [11], both of which are associated with increased risk of obesity [12]. There is a dire need for perinatal weight management interventions in the LMD region

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