Weight and Behavioral and Psychosocial Factors Among Ethnically Diverse, Low-Income Women After Childbirth: II. Trends and Correlates

Abstract

Behavioral and psychosocial variables contribute to a fuller understanding of BMI status of low-income women during the first postpartum year.

Translation of the diabetes prevention program lifestyle intervention for promoting postpartum weight loss among low-income women

“…From a public health perspective, small changes and modest weight loss such as that achieved through this study can have profound health benefits across the population [23]. A limitation of this study is lack of a comparison group, which precludes our ability to determine the absolute difference in weight change impacted by the intervention compared to a usual care condition which presumably gained weight during the postpartum period [2]. In addition, qualitative evaluation participants attended greater sessions than non-participants and thus their responses may overestimate positive reactions to the intervention.…”

“…In contrast, real world populations and the settings that serve [22]. This study illustrated a five-step framework to translate the DPP to be delivered to diverse lowincome postpartum women enrolled in the WIC program, a population vulnerable to postpartum weight retention and also postpartum weight gain [2]. Our intervention demonstrated significant, yet modest, weight loss and changes in diet and physical activity among low-income, postpartum women.…”

“…Postpartum women are at substantial risk for overweight and obesity due to pregnancy weight retention and weight gain after childbirth [2]. Efforts to reduce weight disparities among diverse disadvantaged women require attention to the postpartum period.…”

“…Low SES and minority women are at greatest risk of postpartum weight retention, and these populations also experience significant weight gain after the first few postpartum weeks [2]. The Women Infants and Children (WIC) program is a promising setting in which to implement evidence-based weight loss interventions for low SES women.…”

“…Only a few interventions have aimed to promote postpartum weight loss among WIC clients and have had minimal or no success [2][3][4]. These interventions have not used or translated existing evidence-based programs or strategies [5,6] (i.e., limited focus on creating an energy deficit; nonsystematic use of self-monitoring, goal-setting and problem-solving, and limited hands-on opportunities and support to develop healthy cooking skills and physical activity behaviors).…”