The influence of psychological factors on post‐partum weight retention at 9 months. (26th October 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Phillips, Joanne; King, Ross; Skouteris, Helen
• Is Part Of: British journal of health psychology. Volume 19:Part 4(2014)
• Page Start: 751
• Page End: 766
• Publication Date: 2013-10-26
• Subjects: Clinical health psychology -- Periodicals; 613.019
• DOI: 10.1111/bjhp.12074
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-107X

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="bjhp12074-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="bjhp12074-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objectives</title> <p>Post‐partum weight retention (PWR) has been identified as a critical pathway for long‐term overweight and obesity. In recent years, psychological factors have been demonstrated to play a key role in contributing to and maintaining PWR.</p> </sec> <sec id="bjhp12074-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Design</title> <p>Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the relationship between post‐partum psychological distress and PWR at 9 months, after controlling for maternal weight factors, sleep quality, sociocontextual influences, and maternal behaviours.</p> </sec> <sec id="bjhp12074-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Method</title> <p>Pregnant women (<italic>N </italic>=<italic> </italic>126) completed a series of questionnaires at multiple time points from early pregnancy until 9 months post‐partum.</p> </sec> <sec id="bjhp12074-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Hierarchical regression indicated that gestational weight gain, shorter duration (6 months or less) of breastfeeding, and post‐partum body dissatisfaction at 3 and 6 months are associated with higher PWR at 9 months; stress, depression, and anxiety had minimal influence.</p> </sec> <sec id="bjhp12074-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>Interventions aimed at preventing excessive PWR should specifically target the prevention of body dissatisfaction and excessive weight gain during pregnancy.</p> </sec> <sec id="bjhp12074-sec-0006" sec-type="section"> <title>Statement of contribution</title> <p> <italic> <bold>What is already known on this subject?</bold> </italic> </p> <p> <list id="bjhp12074-list-0001" list-type="bullet"> <list-item> <p>Post‐partum weight retention (PWR) is a critical pathway for long‐term overweight and obesity.</p> </list-item> <list-item> <p>Causes of PWR are complex and multifactorial.</p> </list-item> <list-item> <p>There is increasing evidence that psychological factors play a key role in predicting high PWR.</p> </list-item> </list> </p> <p> <italic> <bold>What does this study add?</bold> </italic> </p> <p> <list id="bjhp12074-list-0002" list-type="bullet"> <list-item> <p>Post‐partum body dissatisfaction at 3 and 6 months is associated with PWR at 9 months post‐birth.</p> </list-item> <list-item> <p>Post‐partum depression, stress and anxiety have less influence on PWR at 9 months.</p> </list-item> <list-item> <p>Interventions aimed at preventing excessive PWR should target body dissatisfaction.</p> </list-item> </list> </p> </sec> </abstract>