title: Psychosocial factors associated with gestational weight gain in a low-income cohort.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) causes negative maternal and child outcomes. Literature is sparse regarding reasons in high-risk low-income women.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Assess psychosocial factors associated with GWG using an adapted instrument based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB).
  
  
  METHODS
  Community health workers surveyed 101 low-income postpartum women.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean (SD) age was 24.6 (5.7) years, with 7% White, 66% Black, 22% Hispanic. Over half (58%) of the women reported overweight or obese body mass indices (BMI) prior to pregnancy; 49% had excessive GWG. Theory of planned behavior-informed constructs associated with less GWG included internal weight locus of control (B=-11.6 (221.4, 21.9) pounds) and higher self-efficacy (B=-1.3 (22.6, 0) pounds). Perinatal depression was associated with increased GWG (B=0.88 (0.1, 1.7) pounds).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The theory of planned behavior is useful in understanding the association of psychosocial factors and GWG. More research is warranted to evaluate the generalizability of the findings prior to the development of an effective intervention.
authors: General Internal Medicine, Pereleman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania (UPenn SOM), PA 19104, USA. smich@mail.med.upenn.edu
authors: Charmaine
authors: C
authors: Wright
authors: Debbie
authors: D
authors: Bilder
authors: Tracey
authors: T
authors: DeBlasis
authors: Marjie
authors: M
authors: Mogul
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Rubin
authors: Judy A
authors: JA
authors: Shea
mesh_terms: D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000150:complications; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D009765:Obesity / Q000209:etiology*; D050177:Overweight / Q000209:etiology*; D011203:Poverty / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011584:Psychology; D020377:Self Efficacy; D015430:Weight Gain; D055815:Young Adult