Pregnancy, Weight & Obesity
Excess pregnancy weight gain and long-term
obesity: one decade later.
Weight Loss 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.
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 Loss Study Results
Of the original cohort, 540 women had a documented weight beyond 5 years
(mean = 8.5 years). The average weight gain from pre-pregnancy to follow-up
was 6.3 kg. There was no difference in weight gain by pre-pregnancy 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 Loss 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, USA. 2002
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