Postpartum Weight Retention Risk Factors in a Taiwanese Cohort Study

Objective: Excess postpartum weight retention (PPWR) is related to long-term weight gain. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify the risk factors for PPWR to provide guidance for preventive strategies. Methods: This cohort study surveyed 461 women who gave birth at a medical center between...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Hsin-Hui Shao, Lee-Ching Hwang, Jian-Pei Huang, Hsin-Yin Hsu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Karger Publishers 2018-02-01
Series:Obesity Facts
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/484934
Description
Summary:Objective: Excess postpartum weight retention (PPWR) is related to long-term weight gain. Therefore, this study was conducted to identify the risk factors for PPWR to provide guidance for preventive strategies. Methods: This cohort study surveyed 461 women who gave birth at a medical center between March 2014 and March 2016. The participants completed a questionnaire within 1 month of delivery, and their 6-month postpartum weight was tracked. Results: The results showed that the mean pre-pregnancy BMI was 21.4 ± 3.3 kg/m2, and the mean gestational weight gain (GWG) was 12.8 ± 4.1 kg. The mean PPWR was 4.6 ± 3.5 kg at 1 month and 2.1 ± 3.3 kg at 6 months. Multivariate analysis revealed that GWG (adjusted OR: 1.92 (1.70-2.17)), pre-pregnancy BMI (adjusted OR: 0.85 (0.77-0.94)), and exclusive breastfeeding (adjusted OR: 0.55 (0.32-0.94)) were significantly correlated with a 1-month PPWR higher than the median value. In addition, GWG (adjusted OR: 1.30 (1.22-1.39)) and exclusive breastfeeding (adjusted OR: 0.37 (0.24-0.58)) were significantly correlated with a 6-month PPWR higher than the median value. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that the key to reducing PPWR is to control GWG and engage in exclusive breastfeeding.
ISSN:1662-4025
1662-4033