Prevention of Excessive Gestational Weight Gain and Postpartum Weight Retention

Weight management in postpartum women - An Indian perspective

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

This narrative review is intended to present an evidence and opinion-based weight management module for Indian postpartum women to be used by clinicians.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Electronic databases such as PubMed and Google Scholar were accessed to extract relevant studies to derive evidence-based information. The reference list of the extracted studies was also checked to obtain further relevant articles. The opinion-based information was achieved from the consensus among the gynaecologists, nutritionists and doctors from Medicine according to their practical experiences in real time. In this review, we have used the term "postpartum" to represent the time period of two years after delivery.

RESULTS

A postpartum weight management module consisting of information about diet, physical activity, sleep and breastfeeding was devised to be used in regular clinical practice, particularly in the Indian settings.

CONCLUSION

Postpartum women deal with various unique challenges as compared to other population groups. Individualised weight management strategies should be adopted to facilitate sustainable postpartum weight management.

Exercise versus Metformin to Improve Pregnancy Outcomes among Overweight Pregnant Women: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

Being overweight is associated with pregnancy-related disorders such as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), and excessive maternal weight gain (MWG). Exercise and metformin reduce the risk of these disorders. This network meta-analysis (NMA) aims to compare the effect of metformin and different types of exercise (aerobic, resistance and combined) on the risk of GDM, HDP, and MWG among overweight/obese pregnant women. Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane Library were searched from inception to June 2021. Meta-analyses and NMAs were performed. Sixteen randomized controlled trials were included. In the NMA, aerobic exercise showed an effect on GDM (RR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.26, 0.97), and metformin a reduction in MWG (MWG = -2.93 kg, 95% CI = -4.98, -0.87). No intervention showed any effect on the reduction of HDP. Our study suggests that aerobic exercise may have the greatest effect in reducing the risk of GDM, and perhaps, the MWG. Strategies should be developed to increase adherence to this type of intervention among overweight women without contraindications. Although metformin could reduce MWG, medicalization of pregnancy in healthy women is not justified with the present results. More research is needed on the effect of the intensity and frequency of exercise sessions and the length of interventions.

The food patterns of a multicenter cohort of Brazilian nulliparous pregnant women

Assessment of human nutrition is a complex process, in pregnant women identify dietary patterns through mean nutrient consumption can be an opportunity to better educate women on how to improve their overall health through better eating. This exploratory study aimed to identify a posteriori dietary patterns in a cohort of nulliparous pregnant women. The principal component analysis (PCA) technique was performed, with Varimax orthogonal rotation of data extracted from the 24-h dietary recall, applied at 20 weeks of gestation. We analysed 1.145 dietary recalls, identifying five main components that explained 81% of the dietary pattern of the sample. Dietary patterns found were: Obesogenic, represented by ultra-processed foods, processed foods, and food groups rich in carbohydrates, fats and sugars; Traditional, most influenced by natural, minimally processed foods, groups of animal proteins and beans; Intermediate was similar to the obesogenic, although there were lower loads; Vegetarian, which was the only good representation of fruits, vegetables and dairy products; and Protein, which best represented the groups of proteins (animal and vegetable). The obesogenic and intermediate patterns represented over 37% of the variation in food consumption highlighting the opportunity to improve maternal health especially for women at first mothering.

Evolution of Postpartum Weight and Body Composition after Excessive Gestational Weight Gain: The Role of Lifestyle Behaviors-Data from the INTER-ACT Control Group

Women with excessive gestational weight gain are at increased risk of postpartum weight retention and potentially also unfavorable body composition. Insight into the lifestyle behaviors that play a role in the evolution of postpartum weight and body composition among these women could aid identification of those at highest risk of long-term adverse outcomes. This secondary analysis of the INTER-ACT randomized controlled trial investigates control group data only (n = 524). The evolution of weight retention, percentage loss of gestational weight gain, fat percentage, waist circumference, and associated lifestyle behaviors between 6 weeks and 12 months postpartum were assessed using mixed model analyses. At six weeks postpartum, every sedentary hour was associated with 0.1% higher fat percentage (P = 0.01), and a higher emotional eating score was associated with 0.2% higher fat percentage (P < 0.001) and 0.3 cm higher waist circumference (P < 0.001). Increase in emotional eating score between 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum was associated with a 0.4 kg (P = 0.003) increase in postpartum weight retention from six months onwards. Among women with overweight, an increase in the uncontrolled eating score between 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum was associated with a 0.3 kg higher postpartum weight retention (P = 0.04), and 0.3% higher fat percentage (P = 0.006) from six months onwards. In conclusion, sedentary and eating behaviors play important roles in postpartum weight and body composition of women with excessive gestational weight gain and should therefore be incorporated as focal points in lifestyle interventions for this population.

Investigating the normalization and normative views of gestational weight gain: Balancing recommendations with the promotion and support of healthy pregnancy diets

OBJECTIVES

Gestational weight gain (GWG) is increasingly monitored in the United States and Canada. While promoting healthy GWG offers benefits, there may be costs with over-surveillance. We aimed to explore these costs/benefits.

METHODS

Quantitative data from 350 pregnant survey respondents and qualitative focus group data from 43 pregnant/post-partum and care-provider participants were collected in the Mothers to Babies (M2B) study in Hamilton, Canada. We report descriptive statistics and discussion themes on GWG trajectories, advice, knowledge, perceptions, and pregnancy diet. Relationships between GWG monitoring/normalization and worry, knowledge, diet quality, and sociodemographics-namely low-income and racialization-were assessed using χ² tests and a linear regression model and contextualized with focus group data.

RESULTS

Most survey respondents reported GWG outside recommended ranges but rejected the mid-20th century cultural norm of "eating for two"; many worried about gaining excessively. Conversely, respondents living in very low-income households were more likely to be gaining less than recommended GWG and to worry about gaining too little. A majority had received advice about GWG, yet half were unable to identify the range recommended for their prepregnancy BMI. This proportion was even lower for racialized respondents. Pregnancy diet quality was associated with household income, but not with receipt or understanding of GWG guidance. Care-providers encouraged normalized GWG, while worrying about the consequences of pathologizing "abnormal" GWG.

CONCLUSIONS

Translation of GWG recommendations should be done with a critical understanding of GWG biological normalcy. Supportive GWG monitoring and counseling should consider clinical, socioeconomic, and community contexts.

Feasibility and acceptability of a remotely-delivered behavioural health coaching intervention to limit gestational weight gain

INTRODUCTION

Gestational weight gain (GWG) and postpartum weight retention (PPWR) are significant, potentially modifiable, contributors to women's future weight and health trajectories. There is a need for feasible and patient-centered (i.e., convenient, remotely-delivered, technology-enhanced, and accessible through the prenatal care setting) behavioural interventions that limit GWG and PPWR. This study tests the feasibility and acceptability of a remotely-delivered behavioural health coaching intervention to limit gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention.

METHODS

Pregnant women (11-16 weeks gestation) were recruited from two prenatal clinics and randomized to the active intervention or health education comparison group. Completion of the program was monitored and perceived helpfulness was rated (0-100).

RESULTS

Twenty-six women were randomized (n = 13 per arm; mean age = 31.6 years, SD = 3.6; mean BMI = 26.7 kg/m2, SD = 7.4). Participants completed a median of 18 coaching calls and 16/19 learning activities during pregnancy, and a median of 6 calls and 5/6 learning activities postpartum. They logged weights at least once/week for a median of 36/38 expected weeks and tracked daily calories and exercise for a median of 154/266 days and 72/266 days, respectively. Median (Q1, Q3) helpfulness ratings of the program during pregnancy were 80 (64, 91) and 62 (50, 81) postpartum; helpfulness ratings of coaching calls were 85 (58, 98). At 37 weeks gestation, 77% of participants achieved IOM weight gain recommendations compared to 54% in the comparison group.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides evidence for the feasibility and acceptability of a remotely-delivered behavioural weight control intervention in pregnancy and postpartum.

Impact of Excess Weight Gain on Risk of Postpartum Infection in Class III Obesity

Objective  To assess the impact of gestational weight gain >20 pounds (more than Institute of Medicine [IOM] recommendations) on postpartum infectious morbidity in women with class III obesity. Methods  This is a retrospective cohort of term, nonanomalous singleton pregnancies with body mass index ≥40 at a single institution from 2013 to 2017. Pregnancies with multiple gestation, late entry to care, and missing weight gain data are excluded. Primary outcome is a composite of postpartum infection (endometritis, urinary tract, respiratory, and wound infection). Secondary outcomes include components of composite, wound complication, readmission, and blood transfusion. Bivariate statistics compared demographics, pregnancy complications, and delivery characteristics of women exceeding IOM guidelines (GT20) with those who did not (LT20). Regression models were used to estimate adjusted odds of outcomes. Results  Of 374 women, 144 (39%) gained GT20 and 230 (62%) gained LT20. Primiparous, nonsmokers more likely gained GT20 ( p  < 0.05). No significant difference in other demographics. Among women who gained GT20, 10.4% had postpartum infectious morbidity compared with 3.0% in LT20 ( p  < 0.01). Wound infection is more common in the GT20 group (7.6 vs. 2%, p  = 0.02). After adjustment, women who gained GT20 had threefold higher odds of postpartum infectious morbidity (adjusted odds ratio: 3.17, 95% confidence interval: 1.17, 8.60). Conclusion  Women with class III obesity who gain more than the IOM recommends are at increased risk for postpartum infectious morbidity.

Effect of Behavioural Interventions for Obesity Prevention in Pregnancy on the Adequacy of Gestational Weight Gain and Retention: Metabolic Health of Indian Women

The aim of this study was to measure the adequacy of gestational weight gain (GWG) in Indian women using various behavioural interventions during pregnancy, which primarily aim to observe the effects on obesity markers and weight retention.

In this experimental study, one hundred and forty pregnant women underwent interventions in 5 groups, control (C), diet (D), home exercise (HE), supervised exercise (SE) and supervised exercise with diet (SED), from pregnancy through delivery with 2 months follow-up post-delivery. The outcome measures were GWG and baby birth weight.

A one-way ANOVA indicated no differences in the mean GWG between groups (12.39±4.71 kg, p=0.947). The control group had the most (50%) and both the supervised exercise groups had the fewest (32%) women who gained above the recommended GWG, followed by the diet group (33.3%). The D and HE groups had the most women who gained within the GWG range, while both the SE and SED groups had the most women who gained below the GWG range. However, these results did not affect the birth weight between the groups (mean 2.96 kg±0.40, p=0.203). In women with normal BMIs, (18.5-22.9 kg/m2), the diet group had the most effective maintenance of adequate GWG, with 15%, 55%, and 30% of the women gaining above, within, and below the recommended GWG, respectively. The SE and SED groups had the least postpartum weight retention (PPWR) at 2 months, followed by the HM, D and C groups; i.e., the results showed a trend in the desired direction clinically, although they were not statistically significant (p=0.12).

Supervised exercise can be effectively used as a pregnancy intervention to prevent excess GWG in Indian women. Diet counselling was found to be the next best intervention in combination with exercise, as well as for women with normal BMI.

Blood manganese levels during pregnancy and postpartum depression: A cohort study among women in Mexico

BACKGROUND

Occupational studies have shown an association between elevated Mn exposure and depressive symptoms. Blood Mn (BMn) naturally rises during pregnancy due to mobilization from tissues, suggesting it could contribute to pregnancy and postpartum depressive symptoms.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the association between BMn levels during pregnancy and postpartum depression (PPD), creating opportunities for possible future interventions.

METHODS

We studied 561 women from the reproductive longitudinal Programming Research in Obesity, Growth, Environment, and Social Stressors (PROGRESS) cohort in Mexico City. BMn was measured at the 2^nd and 3^rd trimesters, as well as delivery. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used to assess PPD symptoms at 12-months postpartum. We used a generalized linear model assuming a Poisson distribution to assess the association between BMn levels and PPD, with adjustments for age, stress and depressive symptoms during pregnancy, education, socioeconomic status, and contemporaneous blood lead levels.

RESULTS

The mean ± standard deviation (SD) EPDS score at 12-months postpartum was 6.51 ± 5.65, and 17.11% of women met the criteria for possible PPD (score ≥ 13). In adjusted models, BMn during the 3^rd trimester (β: 0.13, 95% CI: 0.04-0.21) and BMn levels averaged at the 2^nd and 3rd trimester (β: 0.14, 95% CI: 0.02-0.26) had a positive association with EPDS scores at 12 months postpartum. BMn at the 2^nd trimester (β: 0.07, 95% CI: -0.09-0.22) and delivery (β: 0.03, 95% CI: -0.04-0.10) had a non-significant positive association with EPDS scores at 12-months postpartum. Stress and depressive symptoms during pregnancy was associated with higher EPDS scores at 12-months postpartum in all of the adjusted models but were only significant when either BMn during 3^rd trimester or BMn averaged across 2^nd and 3^rd trimester was assessed as the exposure.

DISCUSSION

Our results demonstrate that elevated BMn levels during pregnancy predict PPD symptoms and could be a potential pathway for intervention and prevention of PPD.

Current Resources for Evidence-Based Practice, March 2019

A review of new resources to support the provision of evidence-based care for women and infants.