Predictors Of Patterns Of Weight Change 1 Year After Delivery In A Cohort Of Mexican Women

Objective: To evaluate the associations of pregestational BMI, gestational weight gain (GWG) and breast-feeding at 1 month postpartum with four patterns of weight change during the first year after delivery: postpartum weight retention (PPWR), postpartum weight gain (PPWG), postpartum weight retention + gain (PPWR + WG) and return to pregestational weight. Design: In this secondary analysis of a prospective study, we categorised postpartum weight change into four patterns using pregestational weight and weights at 1, 6 and 12 months postpartum. We evaluated their associations with pregestational BMI, GWG and breast-feeding using multinomial logistic regression. Results are presented as relative risk ratios (RRR) and 95 % CI. Setting: Mexico City. Participants: Women participating in the Programming Research in Obesity, Growth, Environment and Social Stressors pregnancy cohort. Results: Five hundred women were included (53 % of the cohort). Most women returned to their pregestational weight by 1 year postpartum (57 %); 8 % experienced PPWR, 14 % PPWG and 21 % PPWR + WG. Compared with normal weight, pregestational overweight (RRR 2 center dot 5, 95 % CI 1 center dot 3, 4 center dot 8) and obesity (RRR 2 center dot 2, 95 % CI 1 center dot 0, 4 center dot 7) were associated with a higher risk of PPWG. Exclusive breast-feeding, compared with no breast-feeding, was associated with a lower risk of PPWR (RRR 0 center dot 3, 95 % CI 0 center dot 1, 0 center dot 9). Excessive GWG, compared with adequate, was associated with a higher risk of PPWR (RRR 3 center dot 3, 95 % CI 1 center dot 6, 6 center dot 9) and PPWR + WG (RRR 2 center dot 4, 95 % CI 1 center dot 4, 4 center dot 2). Conclusions: Targeting women with pregestational overweight or obesity and excessive GWG, as well as promoting breast-feeding, may impact the pattern of weight change after delivery and long-term women's health.