Maternal stress predicts postpartum weight retention

Kara Whitaker; Deborah Young-Hyman; Marlo Vernon; Sara Wilcox

doi:10.1007/s10995-014-1470-7

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Maternal stress predicts postpartum weight retention

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Maternal stress predicts postpartum weight retention

Kara Whitaker, Deborah Young-Hyman, Marlo Vernon and Sara Wilcox

Maternal and child health journal, Vol.18(9), pp.2209-2217

11/2014

DOI: 10.1007/s10995-014-1470-7

PMCID: PMC4251762

PMID: 24760321

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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/4251762View

Open Access

Abstract

Postpartum weight retention (PPWR) is a significant contributor to the development of overweight and obesity in women of childbearing age. Stress may be a key mechanism making it more difficult for mothers to lose weight in the year following delivery. The aim of this study was to assess whether specific aspects of parenting stress and life stress influence postpartum weight retention in new mothers. Women in late pregnancy or up to 2 months postpartum (n = 123) were enrolled in the study and followed through the first year postpartum. Linear regression models evaluated the associations of parenting stress (isolation, attachment and depressive symptoms) as well as overall life stress at 2, 6, and 12 months postpartum with PPWR at 6 and 12 months. During the first year postpartum, higher depression and life stress were significantly associated with greater PPWR. As the effect of depression diminished, the effect of life stress became significant. Contrary to hypothesized relationships, fewer problems with attachment and less social isolation were significantly associated with greater PPWR. Higher gestational weight gain and African American race were also significantly associated with greater PPWR at both 6 and 12 months. Different types of stress predict weight retention in first time mothers during the first year postpartum. Understanding the relationships between parenting stress, concurrent life stress and PPWR can enhance the development of future interventions that specifically target self-identified stressors, leading to improved weight related outcomes.

Body Weight

Humans

Postpartum Period - ethnology

Stress, Psychological - ethnology

European Continental Ancestry Group - statistics & numerical data

Linear Models

Depression, Postpartum - complications

Mothers - psychology

Pregnancy

Young Adult

African Americans - statistics & numerical data

South Carolina - epidemiology

Analysis of Variance

Adolescent

Depression, Postpartum - ethnology

Adult

Female

Weight Gain

Parity

Postpartum Period - psychology

Stress, Psychological - complications

Georgia - epidemiology

Details

Title: Subtitle: Maternal stress predicts postpartum weight retention
Creators: Kara Whitaker - University of South Carolina, 921 Assembly Street, Suite 318, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA, goodricm@email.sc.edu
Deborah Young-Hyman
Marlo Vernon
Sara Wilcox
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Maternal and child health journal, Vol.18(9), pp.2209-2217
DOI: 10.1007/s10995-014-1470-7
PMID: 24760321
PMCID: PMC4251762
NLM abbreviation: Matern Child Health J
ISSN: 1573-6628
eISSN: 1573-6628
Publisher: United States
Grant note: R21 HL091284 / NHLBI NIH HHS R21 HL091284A2 / NHLBI NIH HHS T32 GM081740 / NIGMS NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 11/2014
Academic Unit: Epidemiology; Health, Sport, and Human Physiology
Record Identifier: 9984002431702771

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38 Times Cited - Web of Science