title: Exploring the need for interventions to manage weight and stress during interconception.
abstract: Interventions to manage weight and stress during the interconception period (i.e., time immediately following childbirth to subsequent pregnancy) are needed to promote optimal maternal and infant health outcomes. To address this gap, we summarize the current state of knowledge, critically evaluate the research focused on weight and stress management during the interconception period, and provide future recommendations for research in this area. Evidence supports the importance of weight and stress management during the reproductive years and the impact of weight on maternal and child health outcomes. However, evidence-based treatment models that address postpartum weight loss and manage maternal stress during the interconception period are lacking. This problem is further compounded by inconsistent definitions and measurements of stress. Recommendations for future research include interventions that address weight and stress tailored for women in the interconception period, interventions that address healthcare providers' understanding of the significance of weight and stress management during interconception, and long-term follow-up studies that focus on the public health implications of weight and stress management during interconception. Addressing obesity and stress during the interconception period via a reproductive lens will be a starting point for women and their families to live long and healthy lives.
authors.affiliation: School of Nutrition and Health Promotion, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA. Jhuberty@asu.edu.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Huberty
authors.affiliation: Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO, USA.
authors.forename: Jenn A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Leiferman
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
authors.forename: Abbey R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Kruper
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, Wichita, KS, USA.
authors.forename: Lisette T
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Jacobson
authors.affiliation: Departments of Quantitative Health Sciences and Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Molly E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Waring
authors.affiliation: School of Nutrition and Health Promotion, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
authors.forename: Jeni L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Matthews
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University Ferkauf, Bronx, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Danielle M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Wischenka
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Pittsburg, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Betty
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Braxter
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Sara L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Kornfield
mesh_terms: D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008425:Maternal Behavior; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011181:Postnatal Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D016742:Preconception Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015430:Weight Gain
keywords: Interconception; Maternal weight gain; Obesity; Pregnancy; Stress; Women’s health