Epidemiology of Gestational Weight Gain and Body Weight Changes After Pregnancy

Gunderson, Erica P.; Abrams, Barbara

doi:10.1093/oxfordjournals.epirev.a018001

Cited by 342 publications

(349 citation statements)

References 63 publications

(176 reference statements)

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“…On the basis of results of our meta-analysis, we propose to use the term 'postpartum weight retention' only for weight retention within a limited postpartum period, for example up to 12 or 18 months postpartum. However, because the data are 4,8,47 Assuming an underestimation of BMI 0.25 in the baseline weight due to self-reported data, almost all pregnancy-related weight is lost by 12 months postpartum (BMI 0.46-BMI 0.25 ¼ BMI 0.21). 5 If, in addition, estimates of weight gain among non-pregnant women of childbearing age, which vary between BMI 0.04 and BMI 0.35 per year are considered, the female population appears to lose (almost) all pregnancy-related weight gain by approximately 12 months (between 9 and 18 months) postpartum.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Women of childbearing age are particularly at risk for significant weight gain during their reproductive years because of biological (for example, genetic susceptibility) and behavioral (for example, smoking cessation during pregnancy, decline in physical activity after childbearing and other lifestyle alterations related to childbearing, family interactions) reasons. [1][2][3][4][5][6] Therefore, the contribution of childbearing to the development of obesity has important implications. 4 Excessive weight gain during pregnancy and postpartum weight retention (PPWR) are risk factors for similar developments in subsequent pregnancies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6] Therefore, the contribution of childbearing to the development of obesity has important implications. 4 Excessive weight gain during pregnancy and postpartum weight retention (PPWR) are risk factors for similar developments in subsequent pregnancies. 7 Increases in body weight including PPWR contribute to the development of obesity and its adverse health sequelae.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Other studies report that pregnancy-related weight gain is significantly decreased at 6 months postpartum. 4,14 These studies have little longitudinal data and are therefore unable to discern a pattern of PPWR. Furthermore, the specific time interval in which the measurement of PPWR best estimates the amount of weight retention attributable to pregnancy is unclear from current reports.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Further, existing reviews are narrative and essentially summarize the results of individual studies. 4,15,16 There is a lack of reviews providing quantitative synthesis and pooled estimates of weight retention over time. In this systematic review, we identify relevant studies of postpartum weight retention, derive pooled estimates of PPWR at various time intervals after delivery, and attempt to outline a pattern of PPWR.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The association of pregnancy and the development of obesity – results of a systematic review and meta-analysis on the natural history of postpartum weight retention

2007

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Objective: The magnitude of the contribution of childbearing to the development of obesity is not entirely understood. Published studies on postpartum weight retention focus on risk factors and clinical interventions. Pooled estimates of postpartum weight retention have not been reported. We summarized the existing evidence of the natural history of postpartum weight retention and estimated the extent of time after delivery that weight retention is attributable to pregnancy. Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis of qualitatively homogeneous studies. Data sources: Medline search of published studies between January 1995 and August 2005; bibliography of candidate studies. Review methods: Eligibility: Observational studies and control groups of randomized controlled trials. Independent review and data abstraction including study design, subject characteristics, women's weight and study quality by two reviewers. Metaanalysis of average postpartum weight retention at different points in time after delivery. Sensitivity analysis for study specific covariates using meta-regression. Results: Twenty-five studies describing 21 cohorts met eligibility criteria. Sixteen studies appeared homogeneous enough to be included in the meta-analysis. Average postpartum weight retention decreased continuously until 12 months postpartum (6 weeks: 2.42 (95% confidence interval (95% CI): 2.32-2.52) Body mass index (BMI), 6 months: 1.14 (95% CI: 1.04-1.25) BMI, 12 months: 0.46 (95% CI: 0.38-0.54) BMI). Postpartum weight retention was 0.46 BMI lower in studies with follow-up rate X80% at 6 weeks postpartum compared to studies with lower follow-up rate (Po0.01). Conclusion: Published studies consistently showed a decline in mean body weight within the first year postpartum. Data on body weight later than 12 months postpartum are scarce. The published evidence suggests a re-increase in body weight. As there are rather lifestyle-related than biological reasons for an increase in body weight after one year postpartum, we suggest using the term 'postpartum weight retention' exclusively within a limited period (for example, up to 12-18 months) postpartum.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The association of pregnancy and the development of obesity – results of a systematic review and meta-analysis on the natural history of postpartum weight retention

2007

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Diet or exercise, or both, for weight reduction in women after childbirth

Amorim¹,

Linne²,

Lourenco³

2006

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

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Background Weight retention after pregnancy may contribute to obesity. It is known that diet and exercise are recommended components of any weight loss programme in the general population. However, strategies to achieve healthy body weight among postpartum women have not been adequately evaluated. Objectives The objectives of this review were to evaluate the effect of diet, exercise or both for weight reduction in women after childbirth, and to assess the impact of these interventions on maternal body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, breastfeeding performance and other child and maternal outcomes. Search methods We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (September 2006) and LILACS. We scanned secondary references and contacted experts in the field. We updated this search on 5 December 2011 and added the results to the awaiting classification section. Selection criteria All published and unpublished randomised controlled trials (RCT) and quasi-randomised trials of diet or exercise or both, among women during the postpartum period. Data collection and analysis Three review authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. Results are presented using risk ratio for categorical data and mean difference (MD) for continuous data. Data were analysed with a fixed-effect model. A random-effects model was used in the presence of heterogeneity.

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