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

Publication ,  Journal Article
Østbye, T; Peterson, BL; Krause, KM; Swamy, GK; Lovelady, CA
Published in: J Womens Health (Larchmt)
February 2012

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] 7.4). Controlling only for baseline weight, weight loss was associated with breastfeeding, hormonal contraception, lower junk food and greater healthy food intake, and greater physical activity. Only junk food intake and physical activity were significant after controlling for all other predictors. CONCLUSIONS: Eating less healthy foods and being less physically active put overweight and obese women at risk of gaining more weight after a pregnancy.

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Published In

J Womens Health (Larchmt)

DOI

EISSN

1931-843X

Publication Date

February 2012

Volume

21

Issue

2

Start / End Page

215 / 222

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Weight Loss
  • Weight Gain
  • Risk Factors
  • Public Health
  • Principal Component Analysis
  • Pregnancy
  • Postpartum Period
  • Overweight
  • Obesity
 

Citation

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Østbye, T., Peterson, B. L., Krause, K. M., Swamy, G. K., & Lovelady, C. A. (2012). Predictors of postpartum weight change among overweight and obese women: results from the Active Mothers Postpartum study. J Womens Health (Larchmt), 21(2), 215–222. https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2011.2947
Østbye, Truls, Bercedis L. Peterson, Katrina M. Krause, Geeta K. Swamy, and Cheryl A. Lovelady. “Predictors of postpartum weight change among overweight and obese women: results from the Active Mothers Postpartum study.J Womens Health (Larchmt) 21, no. 2 (February 2012): 215–22. https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2011.2947.
Østbye T, Peterson BL, Krause KM, Swamy GK, Lovelady CA. Predictors of postpartum weight change among overweight and obese women: results from the Active Mothers Postpartum study. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2012 Feb;21(2):215–22.
Østbye, Truls, et al. “Predictors of postpartum weight change among overweight and obese women: results from the Active Mothers Postpartum study.J Womens Health (Larchmt), vol. 21, no. 2, Feb. 2012, pp. 215–22. Pubmed, doi:10.1089/jwh.2011.2947.
Østbye T, Peterson BL, Krause KM, Swamy GK, Lovelady CA. Predictors of postpartum weight change among overweight and obese women: results from the Active Mothers Postpartum study. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2012 Feb;21(2):215–222.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Womens Health (Larchmt)

DOI

EISSN

1931-843X

Publication Date

February 2012

Volume

21

Issue

2

Start / End Page

215 / 222

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Weight Loss
  • Weight Gain
  • Risk Factors
  • Public Health
  • Principal Component Analysis
  • Pregnancy
  • Postpartum Period
  • Overweight
  • Obesity