Do Lactation-Induced Changes in Ghrelin, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1, and Peptide YY Influence Appetite and Body Weight Regulation during the First Postpartum Year?
To determine whether fasting and meal-induced appetite-regulating hormones are altered during lactation and associated with body weight retention after childbearing, we studied 24 exclusively breastfeeding women (BMI = 25.2 ± 3.6 kg/m(2)) at 4-5 weeks postpartum and 20 never-pregnant controls (BMI = 24.0 ± 3.1 kg/m(2)). Ghrelin, PYY, GLP-1, and appetite ratings were measured before/and 150 minutes after a standardized breakfast and 60 minutes after an ad libitum lunch. Body weight/composition were measured at 6 and 12 months. Fasting and area under-the-curve responses for appetite-regulating hormones did not differ between lactating and control groups; ghrelinacyl, however, tended to track higher after the standardized breakfast in lactating women and was higher (p < 0.05) after the ad libitum lunch despite a 24% higher energy intake (p < 0.05). By 12 months, lactating women lost 5.3 ± 2.2 kg (n = 18), whereas control women (n = 15) remained weight stable (p = 0.019); fifteen of the lactating women returned to within ±2.0 kg of prepregnancy weight but three retained >6.0 kg. The retainers had greater (p < 0.05) postmeal ghrelin rebound responses following breakfast. Overall these studies do not support the hypothesis that appetite-regulating hormones are altered during lactation and associated with postpartum weight retention. Altered ghrelin responses, however, deserve further exploration.
Department of Family and Consumer Sciences (Human Nutrition), University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA.
D Enette
DE
Larson-Meyer
Department of Family and Consumer Sciences (Human Nutrition), University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA; St. Charles Medical Center, Bend, OR 97701, USA.
Jessica
J
Schueler
Department of Family and Consumer Sciences (Human Nutrition), University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA; Department of Campus Recreation, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA.
Erin
E
Kyle
Department of Animal Science, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA.
Kathleen J
KJ
Austin
School of Nursing, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA.
Ann Marie
AM
Hart
Department of Animal Science, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY 82071, USA.
Brenda M
BM
Alexander
D000328:Adult; D001066:Appetite; D000068959:Body Weight Maintenance; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D054439:Ghrelin / Q000097:blood; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007774:Lactation; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019894:Peptide YY / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology*
D054439:Ghrelin; D019894:Peptide YY; D052216:Glucagon-Like Peptide 1