title: Maternal weight change from prepregnancy to 7 years postpartum--the influence of behavioral factors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We studied the influence of maternal behavior on weight change from prepregnancy to 7 years postpartum.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used linear regression to study the independent and combined associations between self-reported behavior in pregnancy (dietary intake, leisure-time exercise, sedentary activity, smoking) and postpartum (breastfeeding duration and smoking) on weights at 6 months, 18 months, and 7 years postpartum.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Women's average 7-year weight gain was 2.07 kg, with 23% gaining >5 kg. Multivariable analyses suggested that women with healthier dietary intake, more leisure-time exercise, less sedentary behavior, and longer duration of breastfeeding on average gained 1.66 kg [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.40; 1.91] with a significantly reduced odds [OR 0.56 (95% CI: 0.49; 0.64)] of gaining >5 kg from prepregnancy to 7 years postpartum compared to women with none or one of these behaviors [mean gain 3.03 kg (95% CI: 2.68; 3.39)]. Women who ceased smoking had higher long-term weight gain than nonsmokers, but not smokers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adherence to healthy behaviors during pregnancy lowered long-term weight gain considerably by lowering postpartum weight retention and subsequent weight gain. Public health efforts to help mothers achieve healthy behaviors might prevent childbearing-related weight gain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Section for Epidemiology, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
authors.forename: Helene
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kirkegaard
authors.forename: Henrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Stovring
authors.forename: Kathleen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Rasmussen
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Abrams
authors.forename: Thorkild I A
authors.initials: TI
authors.lastname: Sørensen
authors.forename: Ellen A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Nohr
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001835:Body Weight; D001942:Breast Feeding; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D016014:Linear Models; D008425:Maternal Behavior; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015430:Weight Gain