Factors Associated with Weight Gain at 1 Year Postpartum

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Retention of gestational weight can be a significant contributor to obesity related complications. Few studies have assessed the impact of behavioral factors in Korea. This study was performed to identify the impact of factors on weight change at 1 year postpartum. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent twice by mail to 635 women who delivered singleton infant without complications in Seoul Asan Hospital from January 2002 to March 2002 and 97 available responses were received. Parity, pre-pregnancy weight, fullterm weight and postpartum behaviors were collected from routine medical records and questionnaire. RESULTS: Mean age was 30.5 years and mean pre-pregnancy BMI was 20.9 kg/m2. Mean total weight gain during pregnancy was 13.6+/-4.3 kg/m2 weight change at 1 year postpartum was 1.9+/-3.8 kg. Nearly 17.5% of women experienced a major weight gain of 4.5 kg at 1 year postpartum. Women who had higher pre-pregnancy BMI (> or =23 kg/m2) were at high risk for major weight gained at 1 year postpartum (OR 4.14). Women who gained 13.6 kg or more during pregnancy and with lower income were at high risk for major weight gain at 1year postpartum (OR 5.28, 4.13 respectively). CONCLUSION: Pre-pregnancy BMI, gestational weight gain and household monthly income are significantly associated with weight change at 1year postpartum. These findings support the need of the guidelines for preventing major weight retention associated with pregnancy.