Do lifestyle interventions during pregnancy have the potential to reduce long‐term postpartum weight retention? A systematic review and meta‐analysis. (12th December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Michel, Sophie; Raab, Roxana; Drabsch, Theresa; Günther, Julia; Stecher, Lynne; Hauner, Hans
• Is Part Of: Obesity reviews. Volume 20:Number 4(2019)
• Page Start: 527
• Page End: 542
• Publication Date: 2018-12-12
• Subjects: gestational weight gain -- intervention -- postpartum weight retention -- pregnancy; Obesity -- Periodicals; 616.398005
• DOI: 10.1111/obr.12809
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1467-7881

Abstract

Summary: Reducing postpartum weight retention is a promising strategy for addressing the rising prevalence of overweight and obesity in women. This systematic review and meta‐analysis explored whether lifestyle interventions during pregnancy have the potential to reduce weight retention at 4 months postpartum and beyond. A search of five electronic databases for randomized controlled trials comparing the effect of weight‐related lifestyle interventions beginning in pregnancy on postpartum weight retention to standard prenatal care groups was performed. Postpartum weight retention data was synthesized in a random‐effects meta‐analysis. Data from 14 studies of 7116 participants showed that the intervention group retained statistically significant less weight than the control group (weighted mean difference: −0.73 kg, 95% CI: −1.32 to −0.14, P = 0.015). Subgroup analysis showed this effect to be largest in studies with follow‐ups from 4 to 6 months (weighted mean difference: −1.32 kg, 95% CI: −2.11 to −0.53, P = 0.001), but it remained significant until 12 months postpartum (weighted mean difference: −0.68 kg, 95% CI: −1.28 to −0.09, P = 0.023). In studies of women with a body mass index above 25.0 kg/m 2, no significant intervention effect was observed. More high‐quality studies with a follow‐up beyond 12 months postpartum are needed.