Body weight, body composition, and energy intake changes in breastfeeding mothers.
Body weight, body composition, and energy intake changes are described for 13 breastfeeding mothers followed for 18-24 months after delivery. Body weight was assessed at 1-6, 9, 12, 18, 24 months postpartum and 1 month after infant weaning, and energy intake was assessed at 2-6, 9, 12, 18, 24 months postpartum and 1 month after infant weaning. Compared to prepregnancy weight, participants were an average of 4.0 +/- 6.6 kg heavier 18 months postpartum (p < 0.05). The mean rate of weight loss from 1 month postpartum until termination of lactation was 0.32 +/- 0.27 kg/month. Eight of the 12 women gained weight after weaning their infant. Percent body fat assessed by underwater weighing declined from 34.6 +/- 2.8% at 1 month postpartum to 31.4 +/- 4.8% at 1 month after infant weaning (p < 0.05). Further research is needed to study the factors which affect weight loss postpartum, and how weight gain after weaning can be prevented.
AbuSabha
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Pennsylvania State University Department of Nutrition, University Park 16802, USA.
Greene
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D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000502:physiology*; D001942:Breast Feeding; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy