Post‐partum weight retention in women in Asia: a systematic review

Abstract

Obesity is a health issue for people in Asia, and many studies support that childbearing may contribute to women's obesity. However, most studies of post-partum weight retention (PWR) focus on Western countries. This paper aimed to review recent data on PWR and discuss the related factors of PWR for women in Asia. Three electronic databases - MEDLINE, CINAHL and PsycINFO - were searched for data from January 1990 to August 2010. Twelve studies were identified as containing information related to PWR. Chinese, Taiwanese and Korean women tend to have higher gestational weight gain and PWR than women in other Asian countries in this review. The average reported gestational weight gain in these studies ranged from 8.3 kg to 18.0 kg, and the average weight retention at 6 months post partum in various countries ranged from 1.56 kg to 4.1 kg. Gestational weight gain had a positive effect on PWR, but there were no consistent conclusions for other factors. Only a few psychosocial and behavioural factors have been studied. Moreover, no one has assessed changes in waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio for measuring central obesity and ensuring risk of chronic disease. Focusing on changes in maternal weight and body composition, and considering the impact of psychological and behavioural factors are suggested for future studies in Asia.

Postpartum Weight Retention in Congolese Pregnant in Kinshasa

“…This observation is close to those reported by Schauberger et Six weeks seems to be a short period to allow the restoration of pre-gestational weight after childbirth not only in the Congolese women but also in USA (1,18) and in Asia (19). This high frequency of PPWR at the 6 th week postpartum can be explained by the weight loss model in the early postpartum period (20) which suggests that a woman with normal pre-gestational weight and optimal GWG (13.75 kg) can maintain about 4.75 kg during the first 2 weeks of postpartum after expulsion of the fetus (5 kg), loss of the first fluid and regression of non-fat tissue volume such as uterus (4kg) (17,21,22).…”

“…In a meta-analysis conducted in Western countries (Europe and America) from 1986 to 2004, the mean of weight retention in the 6 th postpartum week varied between 3-7 kg (24). A similar study conducted in Asia from 1990 to 2010 reported a mean of PPWR at the 6 th week between 2.5 and 8.6 Kg (25).…”

“…Regarding GWG, it is the most important predictor of postpartum weight retention in the literature (24,25).…”

Postpartum Weight Retention Risk Factors in a Taiwanese Cohort Study

“…Another cohort study in Brazil reported a mean postpartum weight retention (PPWR) of 4.8 kg at 6 months [6]. A review article targeting women in Asia reported that the average 6-month PPWR in various countries ranges from 1.6 to 4.1 kg [7], and two studies in Taiwan both reported a 6-month PPWR of approximately 2.4 kg [8,9]. However, few studies have investigated PPWR and its related factors in Taiwan.…”

Ethnic differences in postpartum weight retention: a Norwegian cohort study

“…8,9 A recent study from the large Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort identified substantial variability in PPWR, and found that among those with initially high PPWR, one group continued to gain weight, whereas another group had a large decline in weight from 6 months to 3 years after birth. 10 Several studies have found that GWG is the strongest predictor of PPWR, 6,[11][12][13][14] yet PPWR may also be influenced by environmental and other factors before, during and immediately after pregnancy, such as pre-pregnancy BMI, 6 parity and breastfeeding, 15,16 smoking, diet and physical activity habits. 9,[16][17][18] Low educational level 19 and depression during pregnancy 20 have also been associated with higher PPWR.…”