Effects on postpartum weight retention after antenatal lifestyle intervention - a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
High weight retention after pregnancy is related to an increased risk of future obesity. The objective was to evaluate whether an antenatal intervention, compared with standard care, could reduce postpartum weight retention (PPWR).


METHODS
Women with body mass index >19, age ≥18 years, knowledge of Swedish, and pregnancy ≤16 weeks' gestation were randomized. Standard care was compared with a composite intervention including a personalized weight graph, education on recommended weight gain, prescription of exercise, and monitoring of weight until 1 year after delivery. Mean (kg) PPWR was compared between the groups and risk estimates (odds ratio) for excessive weight retention were calculated.


RESULTS
Of 445 women randomized, 267 remained for analysis at ≤16 weeks postpartum and 168 at 1 year postpartum. The intervention group had a significantly lower mean PPWR at ≤16 weeks [1.81 kg (standard deviation, SD, 4.52) vs. 3.19 kg (SD 4.77), p = 0.016]. At one year postpartum, mean retention was still 0.7 kg lower in the intervention group [0.30 kg (SD 5.52) vs. 1.00 kg (SD 5.46)]; the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.414). Gestational weight gain above Institute of Medicine recommendations was a significant risk factor for excessive weight retention (>5 kg) one year after delivery (OR 2.44; 95% CI 1.08-5.52, p = 0.029).


CONCLUSIONS
A composite lifestyle intervention during pregnancy reduced short-term weight retention, but the effect of the intervention did not remain at 1 year postpartum. A gestational weight gain above Institute of Medicine recommendations increases the risk of excessive long-term weight retention.
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.
AnnKristin
A
Ronnberg
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.
Ulf
U
Hanson
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University Hospital, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.
Ingrid
I
Ostlund
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.
Kerstin
K
Nilsson
D001835:Body Weight; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011295:Prenatal Care; D015430:Weight Gain
Prenatal care; obesity; pregnancy; women′s health issues