The relationship between social determinants of health and postpartum weight retention based on the World Health Organization model: path analysis

Background Postpartum weight retention (PPWR) causes obesity, chronic diseases, and occurring adverse maternal-fetal and neonatal outcomes. Given the social factors’ effect on health and disease and considering the lack of information on social determinants of health (SDH) effects on PPWR, this study was conducted to survey the relationship between SDH and PPWR based on the World Health Organization (WHO) model. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed on 400 women six months after delivery in 2020. Twelve health centers were randomly selected from the three universities of Medical Sciences in the city of Tehran, Iran. Participants were selected by convenience method and based on eligibility. Questionnaires used included: Lifestyle Profile Health Promoting II, Short Form Postpartum Quality of Life Questionnaire, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Postpartum Social Support, Depression Anxiety Stress Scales, and questionnaires designed by reviewing the literature about breastfeeding, sleep, contraceptive, child health, unhealthy behaviors, postpartum nutritional awareness/beliefs, body satisfaction, access to postpartum care, socioeconomic status, demographic, and obstetric questionnaire. Data analysis was performed in SPSS-23, and the relationship model was examined using the path analysis method in LISREL-8.8. Results Path analysis indicated the direct effect of six intermediate factors on PPWR including: gestational weight gain (β = 0.42), access to postpartum care (β = 0.11), postpartum nutritional awareness/beliefs (β=-0.17), anxiety (β = 0.09), sleep duration (β=-0.09), pre-pregnancy body mass index (β = 0.09). Among the structural factors, woman’s education and socioeconomic status had an indirect negative effect on PPWR. The model fit indices showed good fit (RMSE = 0/05, GFI = 0.92, CFI = 0.92, χ 2 /df = 2.17). Conclusion The results indicate the effect of structural and intermediate determinants of health on PPWR. It is recommended to use the proposed model as an appropriate framework in the research, design, and implementation of programs to prevent and control PPWR.