Weight Gain During the First Year of Depoprovera® Use by Adolescents

Abstract

Background Depo-Provera® is a popular contraceptive method among adolescents. Although weight gain is a known side-effect in all users, few descriptions are available specifically for adolescents. The purposes of this study were to describe the weight gain during the first year of Depo-Provera® use by adolescent girls desiring contraception, and to determine predictors of weight gain. Methods A chart review was conducted for 99 girls, ages 12–17, who received five consecutive Depo-Provera® injections over a one year period at an urban, hospital-based adolescent clinic. Both weight for height, as measured by the body mass index (BMI), and absolute weight were recorded. Results The initial mean BMI for the study group was 24.3 kg/m2 (range: 15.6,40.2). After one year of Depo-Provera® use, the mean BMI of the group was 26.9 kg/m (range: 17.6,43.4). This increase reflected a mean weight gain of 4.4 kg per patient (range: -6.7, 16.8). A gain of 5 kg or more was noted in 40% of patients. Increases in BMI between each of the five injections were not significantly different from one another. There were no statistical differences in BMI according to age, gynecologic age, race, initial BMI, nor rates of change in BMI prior to initiating Depo-Provera®. Conclusions A moderate gain in weight and BMI is to be expected among adolescents during the first year of Depo-Provera® use and increases of more than 5 kg are common. Weight gain occurs at a constant rate over this period. Predictive factors for the degree of weight gain could not be identified. Depo-Provera® is a popular contraceptive method among adolescents. Although weight gain is a known side-effect in all users, few descriptions are available specifically for adolescents. The purposes of this study were to describe the weight gain during the first year of Depo-Provera® use by adolescent girls desiring contraception, and to determine predictors of weight gain. A chart review was conducted for 99 girls, ages 12–17, who received five consecutive Depo-Provera® injections over a one year period at an urban, hospital-based adolescent clinic. Both weight for height, as measured by the body mass index (BMI), and absolute weight were recorded. The initial mean BMI for the study group was 24.3 kg/m2 (range: 15.6,40.2). After one year of Depo-Provera® use, the mean BMI of the group was 26.9 kg/m (range: 17.6,43.4). This increase reflected a mean weight gain of 4.4 kg per patient (range: -6.7, 16.8). A gain of 5 kg or more was noted in 40% of patients. Increases in BMI between each of the five injections were not significantly different from one another. There were no statistical differences in BMI according to age, gynecologic age, race, initial BMI, nor rates of change in BMI prior to initiating Depo-Provera®. A moderate gain in weight and BMI is to be expected among adolescents during the first year of Depo-Provera® use and increases of more than 5 kg are common. Weight gain occurs at a constant rate over this period. Predictive factors for the degree of weight gain could not be identified.