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.
Highlights
Postpartum weight retention affects many women and increases the risk of becoming overweight
Exclusions were made based on a preterm delivery at fewer than 36 weeks gestation (n = 3), when one or more questionnaires from 6 weeks, 6 or 12 months postpartum were not returned (n = 45), or when a subsequent pregnancy was reported within 12 months postpartum (n = 2), leaving a sample of 118 women for the analysis
Since studies that longitudinally looked at the influence of multiple postpartum behaviors on postpartum weight changes are scarce, we conducted a study in which the association of factors such as postpartum physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleep, and dietary intake with postpartum weight change were assessed
Summary
Postpartum weight retention affects many women and increases the risk of becoming overweight. From conception to one year after giving birth, women are reported to gain between 0.5 and 3.0 kg on average [4,5,6,7]. Weight retained after giving birth appears to be deposited in body fat centrally rather than peripherally [7,8]. Since overweight and a less favorable distribution of body fat are known risk factors for morbidity and mortality, it is important to study weight retention after women have given birth. Oken and colleagues concluded that hours of television viewing and trans fat intake increased the risk of substantial weight retention, whereas walking was a significant preventative factor [15]. Gunderson concluded that women sleeping ≤5 hours per day at six months postpartum had a threefold higher risk of substantial weight retention at one year postpartum [16]
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