Excess Weight & Pregnancy - Study
Excess pregnancy weight gain and long-term
obesity: one decade later.
Weight Study - Aim
To estimate the impact of excess pregnancy weight gain and failure to
lose weight by 6 months postpartum on excess weight 8-10 years later.
Weight Study - Method
Seven hundred ninety-five women were observed through pregnancy and 6
months postpartum to examine factors that affect weight loss. Weight was
recorded 10 years later through a medical record review to examine the
impact of retained weight on long-term obesity. Overall weight change
at last follow-up and body mass index (BMI) were examined by pregnancy
weight gain appropriateness according to the Institute of Medicine guidelines
for weight gain during pregnancy.
Weight Study - Results
Of the original cohort, 540 women had a documented weight beyond 5 years
(mean = 8.5 years). The average weight gain from prepregnancy to follow-up
was 6.3 kg. There was no difference in weight gain by prepregnancy BMI.
Women who gained less than the recommended amount during their pregnancy
were 4.1 kg heavier at follow-up, those gaining the recommended amount
were 6.5 kg heavier, and those gaining more than recommended were 8.4
kg heavier. Women who lost all pregnancy weight by 6 months postpartum
were 2.4 kg heavier at follow-up than women with retained weight, who
weighed 8.3 kg more at follow-up. Women who breast-fed and women who participated
in aerobic exercise also had significantly lower weight gains.
Weight Study - Conclusion
Excess weight gain and failure to lose weight after pregnancy are important
and identifiable predictors of long-term obesity. Breast-feeding and exercise
may be beneficial to control long-term weight.
Source: Rooney BL, Schauberger CW. Gundersen
Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin. 2002
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