Predictors of postpartum weight change among overweight and obese women: results from the Active Mothers Postpartum study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The postpartum period may be critical for the development of midlife obesity. Identifying factors associated with postpartum weight change could aid in targeting women for healthy lifestyle interventions.

Methods

Data from Active Mothers Postpartum (AMP), a study of overweight and obese postpartum women (n=450), were analyzed to determine the effect of baseline characteristics, breastfeeding, diet, physical activity, and contraception on weight change from 6 weeks to 12, 18, and 24 months postpartum. The repeated measures mixed model was used to test the association of these effects with weight change.

Results

Although mean weight loss was modest (0.49 kg by 24 months), the range of weight change was striking (+21.5 kg to -24.5 kg, standard deviation [SD] 7

SUBMITTER: Ostbye T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3525888 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature