Reducing postpartum weight retention through a correspondence intervention.
OBJECTIVE
Since post-pregnancy weight retention may contribute to the development of obesity, we sought to determine whether a behavioral weight loss intervention was effective in returning women to their pre-pregnancy weight.


METHODS
Ninety women who had given birth in the past 3-12 months and whose weight exceeded their pre-pregnancy weight by at least 6.8 kg were randomly assigned to either: a) a six-month behavioral weight loss intervention, delivered via correspondence or b) a no-treatment control group. Assessments of body weight, physical activity and eating patterns were conducted at pre-treatment and six months (post-treatment).


RESULTS
During the six month treatment, subjects in the correspondence condition lost significantly more weight than control subjects (7.8 kg vs 4.9 kg, P = 0.03) and lost a greater percentage of their excess postpartum weight (79% vs 44%, P = 0.01). Furthermore, a significantly greater percentage of correspondence subjects than controls returned to their pre-pregnancy weight (33% vs 11.5%, P < 0.05). Weight loss in the correspondence group was correlated with completion of self-monitoring records (r = 0.50, P < 0.005).


CONCLUSIONS
A behavioral weight loss intervention, delivered via correspondence, appears to be effective in reducing women's postpartum weight retention. Future studies should examine the acceptability and the long-term impact of a correspondence postpartum weight loss intervention.
Leermakers
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Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA 15213, USA.
Anglin
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Wing
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D015709:Correspondence as Topic; D015930:Diet Records; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D015430:Weight Gain