Postpartum weight trajectories in overweight and lean women

Interpregnancy maternal weight change is not associated with offspring weight and obesity at age 2 years

BACKGROUND

Weight retention between pregnancies is associated with increased risk of perinatal complications, but it is unclear whether there is an association with offspring weight status. This study aimed to determine whether maternal interpregnancy weight change is associated with offspring overweight/obesity, controlling for confounding variables.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

Routinely collected linked data from perinatal and child datasets, in Flanders, Belgium were used. Women having their first and second live births between 2009-2018 were included. The association between maternal interpregnancy weight change and overweight/obesity in the second child at 2 years was examined by logistical regression models.

RESULTS

A total of 33,172 women were included. 52.7% (n = 17478) had a stable interpregnancy BMI, 24.1% (n = 8024) and 8.5% (n = 2821) had moderate and substantial BMI increases respectively. At 2 years, 91.6% (n = 30383) of the second offspring had a healthy weight, 0.6% (n = 210), 7.0% (n = 2312) and 0.8% (n = 267) were in the underweight, overweight and obesity BMI categories respectively. Multivariate analysis showed no statistical evidence that maternal interpregnancy BMI change is independently associated with overweight/obesity in the second child. The strongest independent factors were the first child (sibling) being in the obesity category at 2 years (odds ratio [OR] 7.2, [95% CI, 5.49-9.45] and being born Large for Gestational Age (LGA) (2.13 [1.92-2.37]). The following variables were also independently associated with the outcome measure: maternal African origin (1.90 [1.59-2.26]), maternal obesity at start of first pregnancy (1.33 [1.16-1.53]), excessive gestational weight gain in the second pregnancy (1.15 [1.04-1.28]), being born after a < 1-year interpregnancy time interval (1.17 [1.05-1.30]) and not being exclusively breastfed at 12 weeks old (1.29 [1.10-1.52]).

CONCLUSION

Sibling obesity and being born LGA were most strongly independently associated with overweight/obesity at 2 years. This supports the need for family interventions and to address risk factors for development of LGA infants. There was no independent association with interpregnancy weight gain, contrary to what was hypothesised.

One-year postpartum weight retention and glucose intolerance in women with prediabetes after gestational diabetes

AIMS

To determine risk factors for 1-year postpartum weight retention (PPWR) and glucose intolerance (prediabetes + diabetes) in women with a previous history of gestational diabetes (GDM) and prediabetes in early postpartum.

METHODS

In this exploratory analysis of the MELINDA randomized controlled trial, we report data of 167 women with prediabetes at the 6-16 weeks (early) postpartum oral glucose tolerance test after a recent history of GDM.

RESULTS

Of all participants, 45% (75) had PPWR >0 kg at 1-year postpartum. Compared to women without PPWR, women with PPWR had higher gestational weight gain [10.5 ± 6.4 vs. 6.5 ± 4.5 kg, p < 0.001], higher BMI (p < 0.01) and a worse metabolic profile (higher waist circumference, worse lipid profile and more insulin resistance) (all p < 0.05) both in early and late postpartum. Of all women with PPWR, 40.0% developed metabolic syndrome, compared to 18.9% of women without late PPWR (p = 0.003). The only independent predictor for late PPWR was weight retention in early postpartum (p < 0.001). Of all participants, 55.1% (92) had glucose intolerance (84 prediabetes, 8 diabetes) 1-year postpartum. Independent predictors for late postpartum glucose intolerance were lower gestational age at start insulin therapy in pregnancy and delivery by caesarean section (resp. p = 0.044 and 0.014).

CONCLUSIONS

In women with a previous history of GDM and prediabetes in early postpartum, PPWR in early postpartum was a strong independent predictor for late PPWR, while earlier start of insulin therapy during pregnancy and delivery by caesarean section were independent predictors of glucose intolerance in late postpartum.

The impact of self-monitoring physical and mental health via an mHealth application on postpartum weight retention: Data from the INTER-ACT RCT

Background

Postpartum weight retention (PPWR) has many health risks. Digital self-monitoring of weight can potentially make postpartum weight management easier. We aim to test to what extent the self-monitoring of weight, steps and mental health through an mHealth application increases postpartum weight loss and reduces the odds of substantial PPWR (≥5 kg).

Methods

Participants were mothers in the intervention arm of the INTER-ACT multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT), an inter-pregnancy lifestyle intervention among mothers with excessive gestational weight gain. Participants (n=288) had access to an mHealth application to log their weight, steps and mental health between 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum. A linear multiple regression model and a logistic regression model were run to test to what extent self-monitoring via the app increases postpartum weight loss and reduces the risk of substantial PPWR.

Results

Women who logged their weight more often lost more weight (B=0.03, β=0.26, CIB =[0.01,0.05], P<0.01), and had reduced odds of substantive PPWR (OR=0.99, CIOR =[0.98, 0.999], P<.05). Mental health logging reduced the odds of substantive PPWR (OR=0.98, CIOR =[0.97, 1.00], P<0.05), but was unrelated to the amount of weight loss. Steps logging was unrelated to either weight loss or substantive PPWR.

Conclusion

Mothers with excessive gestational weight gain can benefit from app-based lifestyle interventions to reduce PPWR by self-monitoring their weight. More attention to mental health in PPWR interventions is needed.

Challenges Related to Acquisition of Physiological Data for Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic (PBPK) Models in Postpartum, Lactating Women and Breastfed Infants-A Contribution from the ConcePTION Project

Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modelling is a bottom-up approach to predict pharmacokinetics in specific populations based on population-specific and medicine-specific data. Using an illustrative approach, this review aims to highlight the challenges of incorporating physiological data to develop postpartum, lactating women and breastfed infant PBPK models. For instance, most women retain pregnancy weight during the postpartum period, especially after excessive gestational weight gain, while breastfeeding might be associated with lower postpartum weight retention and long-term weight control. Based on a structured search, an equation for human milk intake reported the maximum intake of 153 mL/kg/day in exclusively breastfed infants at 20 days, which correlates with a high risk for medicine reactions at 2-4 weeks in breastfed infants. Furthermore, the changing composition of human milk and its enzymatic activities could affect pharmacokinetics in breastfed infants. Growth in breastfed infants is slower and gastric emptying faster than in formula-fed infants, while a slower maturation of specific metabolizing enzymes in breastfed infants has been described. The currently available PBPK models for these populations lack structured systematic acquisition of population-specific data. Future directions include systematic searches to fully identify physiological data. Following data integration as mathematical equations, this holds the promise to improve postpartum, lactation and infant PBPK models.

Maternal weight trajectories and associations with infant growth in South African women

BACKGROUND

Despite the close relationship between pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), gestational weight gain (GWG) and postpartum weight (PPW), these factors are often studied separately. There are no data characterising longitudinal weight trajectories among pregnant and postpartum women in urban African populations. We examined maternal weight trajectories from pregnancy through to 12 months postpartum, factors associated with higher weight trajectory class membership and associations of weight trajectories with infant growth at 12 months.

METHODS

Data from 989 women were examined for weight trajectories from first antenatal care visit in pregnancy to 12 months postpartum using latent-class growth models. Baseline factors associated with class membership were assessed using multinomial logistic regression. Of the enrolled women, 613 of their infants were assessed for growth at 12 months. Anthropometry measurements for mothers and infants were conducted by a trained study nurse. Associations between maternal weight trajectory class and infant weight-for-age (WAZ), length-for-age (LAZ), weight-for-length (WLZ) at 12 months of age were analysed using linear regression.

RESULTS

Four distinct classes of maternal weight trajectories were identified. The classes included consistent low (29%), consistent medium (37%), medium-high (24%) and consistent high (10%) trajectories. Similar to trends observed with medium-high trajectory, baseline factors positively associated with consistent high class membership included age (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.01-1.09), pre-pregnancy BMI (OR 2.24, 95% CI 1.97-2.56), stage 1 hypertension (OR 3.28, 95% CI 1.68-6.41), haemoglobin levels (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.11-1.74) and parity (OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.15-1.67); living with HIV (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.30-0.74) was inversely associated. In adjusted analyses, compared to consistent medium weight trajectory, consistent low weight trajectory (mean difference -0.41, 95% CI -0.71;-0.12) was associated with decreased, and consistent high weight trajectory (mean difference 1.21, 95% CI 0.59-1.83) with increased infant WAZ at 12 months of age.

CONCLUSION

Identification of unique longitudinal weight trajectory groupings might inform comprehensive efforts targeted at improving healthy maternal weight and infant outcomes.

Factors Affecting BMI Changes in Mothers during the First Year Postpartum

We tested the hypotheses that mothers of infants who exclusively breastfed would differ in the trajectories of postpartum BMI changes than mothers of infants who exclusively formula fed, but such benefits would differ based on the maternal BMI status prepregnancy (primary hypothesis) and that psychological eating behavior traits would have independent effects on postpartum BMI changes (secondary hypothesis). To these aims, linear mixed-effects models analyzed measured anthropometric data collected monthly from 0.5 month (baseline) to 1 year postpartum from two groups of mothers distinct in infant feeding modality (Lactating vs. Non-lactating). While infant feeding modality group and prepregnancy BMI status had independent effects on postpartum BMI changes, the benefits of lactation on BMI changes differed based on prepregnancy BMI. When compared to lactating women, initial rates of BMI loss were significantly slower in the non-lactating women who were with Prepregnancy Healthy Weight (β = 0.63 percent BMI change, 95% CI: 0.19, 1.06) and with Prepregnancy Overweight (β = 2.10 percent BMI change, 95% CI: 1.16, 3.03); the difference was only a trend for those in the Prepregnancy Obesity group (β = 0.60 percent BMI change, 95% CI: −0.03, 1.23). For those with Prepregnancy Overweight, a greater percentage of non-lactating mothers (47%) gained ≥ 3 BMI units by 1 year postpartum than did lactating mothers (9%; p < 0.04). Psychological eating behavior traits of higher dietary restraint, higher disinhibition, and lower susceptibility to hunger were associated with greater BMI loss. In conclusion, while there are myriad advantages to lactation, including greater initial rates of postpartum weight loss regardless of prepregnancy BMI, mothers who were with overweight prior to the pregnancy experienced substantially greater loss if they breastfed their infants. Individual differences in psychological eating behavior traits hold promise as modifiable targets for postpartum weight management.

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet during pregnancy is associated with lower odds of excessive gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention: results of the Mother-Infant Study Cohort

During the first 1000 d of life, gestational weight gain (GWG) and postpartum weight retention (PPWR) are considered critical determinants of nutritional status. This study examined the effect of adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) during pregnancy on GWG and PPWR at 2 and 6 months among women in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), using data from the Mother-Infant Study Cohort. The latter is a prospective study, for which pregnant women were recruited (n 243) during their third trimester and were followed up for 18 months. Data on socio-demographic characteristics and anthropometric measurements were obtained. An eighty-six-item FFQ was used to examine dietary intake during pregnancy. Adherence to the MD was assessed using the alternate MD (aMED) and the Lebanese MD (LMD). Adherence to the MD, PPWR2 (2 months) and PPWR6 (6 months) were considered high if participants belonged to the third tertile of the respective measures. Results indicated that 57·5 % of participants had excessive GWG while 50·7 % and 45 % retained ≥ 5 kg at 2 and 6 months postpartum, respectively. After adjustment, adherence to both MD scores was associated with lower odds of excessive GWG (aMED, OR:0·41, 95 % CI:0·18, 0·93; LMD, OR:0·40, 95 % CI: 0·16, 0·98). Adherence to MD was also associated with PPWR2 (aMED: OR: 0·23, 95 % CI: 0·06, 0·88) and PPWR6 (aMED OR:0·26; 95 % CI:0·08-0·86; LMD, OR:0·32; 95 % CI: 0·1, 0·98). The findings of this study showed that adherence to the MD may reduce GWG and PPWR and, hence, underscored the importance of promoting the MD for better health of the mother and infant.

The Association of Lactation Duration with Visceral and Pericardial Fat Volumes in Parous Women: The CARDIA Study

BACKGROUND

Lactation is associated with lower risks for cardiovascular disease in women. Organ-related adiposity, which plays significant roles in the development of cardiometabolic diseases, could help explain this observation. We evaluated the association of lactation duration with visceral (VAT) and pericardial (PAT) fat volumes in women.

METHODS

Data were obtained from 910 women enrolled in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study (1985-1986) without diabetes prior to pregnancy who had ≥1 birth during 25 years of follow-up and had VAT and PAT measured from computed tomographic scans in 2010-2011. Cumulative lactation duration across all births since baseline was calculated from self-reports collected at periodic exams.

RESULTS

At baseline, the average age of women (48% black, 52% white) was 24 ± 3.7 years. After controlling for baseline age, race, smoking status, body mass index, fasting glucose, family history of diabetes, fat intake, total cholesterol, physical activity, and follow-up covariates (parity, gestational diabetes), the mean fat volumes across categories of lactation [none (n = 221), 1-5 months (n = 306), 6-11 months (n = 210), and ≥12 months (n = 173)] were 122.0, 113.7 105.0, and 110.1 cm3 for VAT and 52.2, 46.7, 44.5, and 43.4 cm3 for PAT, respectively. Changes in body weight from the first post-baseline birth to the end of follow-up mediated 21% and 18% of the associations of lactation with VAT and PAT, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In this prospective study, longer cumulative lactation duration was associated with lower VAT and PAT volumes, with weight gain partially mediating these associations.

Associations of Body Mass Index with Demographics, Lifestyle, Food Intake, and Mental Health among Postpartum Women: A Structural Equation Approach

As postpartum obesity is becoming a global public health challenge, there is a need to apply postpartum obesity modeling to determine the indicators of postpartum obesity using an appropriate statistical technique. This research comprised two phases, namely: (i) development of a previously created postpartum obesity modeling; (ii) construction of a statistical comparison model and introduction of a better estimator for the research framework. The research model displayed the associations and interactions between the variables that were analyzed using the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) method to determine the body mass index (BMI) levels related to postpartum obesity. The most significant correlations obtained were between BMI and other substantial variables in the SEM analysis. The research framework included two categories of data related to postpartum women: living in urban and rural areas in Iran. The SEM output with the Bayesian estimator was 81.1%, with variations in the postpartum women's BMI, which is related to their demographics, lifestyle, food intake, and mental health. Meanwhile, the variation based on SEM with partial least squares estimator was equal to 70.2%, and SEM with a maximum likelihood estimator was equal to 76.8%. On the other hand, the output of the root mean square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MSE) and mean absolute percentage error (MPE) for the Bayesian estimator is lower than the maximum likelihood and partial least square estimators. Thus, the predicted values of the SEM with Bayesian estimator are closer to the observed value compared to maximum likelihood and partial least square. In conclusion, the higher values of R-square and lower values of MPE, RMSE, and MSE will produce better goodness of fit for SEM with Bayesian estimators.

Caesarean section delivery and childhood obesity in a British longitudinal cohort study

Background

Several studies reported an association between Caesarean section (CS) birth and childhood obesity. However, there are several limitations in the current literature. These include an inability to distinguish between planned and emergency CS, small study sample sizes and not adjusting for pre-pregnancy body-mass-index (BMI). We examined the association between CS delivery and childhood obesity using the United Kingdom Millennium Cohort Study (MCS).

Methods

Mother-infant pairs were recruited into the MCS. Use of sampling weights ensured the sample was representative of the population. The exposure was categorised as normal vaginal delivery (VD) [reference], assisted VD, planned CS and emergency CS. Childhood obesity prevalence, at age three, five, seven, eleven and fourteen years was calculated using the International Obesity Taskforce criteria. Mixed-effects linear regression models were fitted with associations adjusted for several potential confounders like maternal age, pre-pregnancy BMI, education and infant macrosomia. Linear regression models were fitted evaluating body fat percentage (BF%), at age seven and fourteen years.

Results

Of the 18,116 infants, 3872 (21.4%) were delivered by CS; 9.2% by planned CS. Obesity prevalence was 5.4%, 5.7%, 6.5%, 7.1% and 7.6% at age three, five, seven, eleven and fourteen years respectively. The mixed-effects linear regression model showed no association between planned (adjusted mean difference = 0.00; [95% confidence interval (CI) -0.10; 0.10], p-value = 0.97) or emergency CS (adjusted mean difference = 0.08; [95% CI -0.01; 0.17], p-value = 0.09) and child BMI. At age seven years, there was no association between planned CS and BF% (adjusted mean difference = 0.13; [95% CI -0.23; 0.49]); there was no association at age fourteen years.

Conclusions

Infants born by planned CS did not have a significantly higher BMI or BF% compared to those born by normal VD. This may suggest that the association, described in the literature, could be due to the indications/reasons for CS birth or residual confounding.

A pilot intervention to reduce postpartum weight retention at primary health care in Brazil

Introduction

Background: postpartum weight retention (PWR) strongly predicts obesity, the major nutritional concern of this century; however, there is a gap in nutritional care for postpartum women in Brazil. Objective: to evaluate the effect of nutritional counselling provided at primary health care on the reduction of PWR. Method: pilot study carried out in a low-income community in southeastern Brazil, involving postpartum women with PWR, who were provided with individual monthly appointments with a nutritionist over three months of follow-up. Nutritional counselling was based on the Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH diet) aiming at healthy and gradual weight loss. Anthropometric evaluation included measurement of weight, height, waist circumference and percentage of body fat. Dietary intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire and adherence to diet was evaluated using a DASH score. Results: women who participated in the study (n = 26) showed a reduction in PWR (median -1.80 kg, p = 0.004), body mass index (-0.57 kg/m², p = 0.004), and waist circumference (-2.50 cm, p = 0.024), as well as 91.67% of them presented good adherence to diet. Conclusion: nutritional counselling provided to low-income postpartum women at primary health care contributed to the reduction of PWR, body mass index and waist circumference, as the study participants presented good adherence to a healthy dietary pattern.

Body weight, body composition and energy balance related behaviour during the transition to parenthood: study protocol of a multi-centre observational follow-up study (TRANSPARENTS)

Background

The transition to parenthood is a cornerstone event for both parents, potentially leading to relevant changes in lifestyle and behaviour. In women, the metabolic changes during and after pregnancy and the deleterious effects of excessive gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention have been extensively described. However, there is no full understanding about which specific energy balance related behaviours (EBRB) contribute to unfavourable weight gain and weight retention. Furthermore, information on how transition to parenthood affects men is lacking. Therefore, this study aims to investigate changes in body weight, body composition and EBRB in couples transitioning to parenthood.

Methods

TRANSPARENTS is a multi-centre observational follow-up study that focuses on body weight, body composition and EBRB during the transition to parenthood. Couples (women and men) will be recruited during the first trimester of their first pregnancy. Study visits will occur at four occasions (12 weeks of pregnancy, 6 weeks postpartum, 6 months postpartum and 12 months postpartum). Anthropometrics of the parents and new-borns will be assessed including body weight, height/length, body composition (using bio-electrical impedance analysis and measurement of four skinfold thicknesses (biceps, triceps, subscapular and supraspinal/suprailiac)) and waist and hip circumference. Dietary intake, physical activity, sedentary behaviour, smoking habits, sleeping pattern, fatigue, diet and exercise related partner support, mental health, breastfeeding, contraception use, and socio-demographics will be assessed using a questionnaire. In addition, accelerometry will be used to assess physical activity and sedentary behaviour objectively. Also data from women’s medical record, such as pre-pregnancy weight and pregnancy outcomes, will be included. Multilevel modelling will be used to evaluate maternal and paternal changes in body weight, body composition and EBRB during and after pregnancy (primary outcomes). Multiple linear regression analyses will be performed to identify predictors of changes in body weight, body composition and EBRB. All analyses will be adjusted for possible confounders.

Discussion

TRANSPARENTS is a unique project identifying vulnerable parents and (un)favourable changes in EBRB throughout this potentially critical life period. Provided insights will facilitate the development of effective intervention strategies to help couples towards a healthy transition to parenthood.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT03454958. Registered March 2018.

Do lifestyle interventions during pregnancy have the potential to reduce long-term postpartum weight retention? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Reducing postpartum weight retention is a promising strategy for addressing the rising prevalence of overweight and obesity in women. This systematic review and meta-analysis explored whether lifestyle interventions during pregnancy have the potential to reduce weight retention at 4 months postpartum and beyond. A search of five electronic databases for randomized controlled trials comparing the effect of weight-related lifestyle interventions beginning in pregnancy on postpartum weight retention to standard prenatal care groups was performed. Postpartum weight retention data was synthesized in a random-effects meta-analysis. Data from 14 studies of 7116 participants showed that the intervention group retained statistically significant less weight than the control group (weighted mean difference: -0.73 kg, 95% CI: -1.32 to -0.14, P = 0.015). Subgroup analysis showed this effect to be largest in studies with follow-ups from 4 to 6 months (weighted mean difference: -1.32 kg, 95% CI: -2.11 to -0.53, P = 0.001), but it remained significant until 12 months postpartum (weighted mean difference: -0.68 kg, 95% CI: -1.28 to -0.09, P = 0.023). In studies of women with a body mass index above 25.0 kg/m² , no significant intervention effect was observed. More high-quality studies with a follow-up beyond 12 months postpartum are needed.

The Impact of Caesarean Section on the Risk of Childhood Overweight and Obesity: New Evidence from a Contemporary Cohort Study

Caesarean section (CS) rates are increasing globally and exceed 50% in some countries. Childhood obesity has been linked to CS via lack of exposure to vaginal microflora although the literature is inconsistent. We investigated the association between CS birth and the risk of childhood obesity using the nationally representative Growing-Up-in-Ireland (GUI) cohort. The GUI study recruited randomly 11134 infants. The exposure was categorised into normal vaginal birth (VD) [reference], assisted VD, elective (planned) CS and emergency (unplanned) CS. The primary outcome measure was obesity defined according to the International Obesity Taskforce criteria. Statistical analysis included multinomial logistic regression with adjustment for potential confounders. Infants delivered by elective CS had an adjusted relative risk ratio (aRRR) = 1.32; [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.74] of being obese at age three years. This association was attenuated when macrosomic children were excluded (aRRR = 0.99; [95% CI 0.67-1.45]). Infants delivered by emergency CS had an increased risk of obesity aRRR = 1.56; [95% CI 1.20-2.03]; this association remained after excluding macrosomic children. We found insufficient evidence to support a causal relationship between elective CS and childhood obesity. An increased risk of obesity in children born by emergency CS, but not elective, suggests that there is no causal effect due to vaginal microflora.

Association of early pregnancy body mass index with post-partum weight change among African-American women

Post-partum weight retention is relatively common and increases the risk for future obesity. Women who are overweight or obese prior to pregnancy, or who gain excessively during pregnancy, are more likely to retain weight post-partum. Much of the existing research is limited by a single post-partum body-weight measure and therefore cannot distinguish post-partum weight retention from post-partum weight accrual. This study tested the hypothesis that early pregnancy body mass index (BMI) is positively associated with post-partum weight change, independent of gestational weight gain (GWG) and breastfeeding (BF) among African-American women, a demographic group with greater risk for obesity. Healthy African-American women (n = 32) were weighed at 2 weeks and 3 months post-partum to derive post-partum weight change. Data from prenatal care records were retrieved to calculate BMI at the first prenatal care visit and GWG. BF status at 2 weeks post-partum was self-reported. Early pregnancy BMI was positively associated with post-partum weight change (partial r = 0.53, P < 0.005), independent of GWG and BF status at 2 weeks post-partum. These results extend the literature by suggesting that the association between early pregnancy BMI and post-partum weight retention may be at least partially attributable to the accrual of new weight during the post-partum period. Future research in a larger and more diverse cohort is warranted and should explore potential mechanisms contributing to post-partum weight change.

A pilot intervention to reduce postpartum weight retention and central adiposity in first-time mothers: results from the mums OnLiNE (Online, Lifestyle, Nutrition & Exercise) study

BACKGROUND

Postpartum weight retention (PPWR) increases the risk for obesity and complications during subsequent pregnancies. Few interventions have been successful in limiting PPWR in mothers. The present study assessed the effectiveness of the mums OnLiNE (Online, Lifestyle, Nutrition & Exercise) intervention with respect to reducing PPWR and improving diet, physical activity and sedentary behaviour.

METHODS

A subsample of first-time mothers enrolled in the Extended Melbourne Infant Feeding Activity and Nutrition Trial (InFANT Extend) completed the nonrandomised mums OnLiNE intervention. Women in the intervention (I) group (n = 28) received access to an online calorie tracking program, smartphone app, three telephone counselling calls with a dietitian and written material. Women in two comparison groups (CI and C2) (n = 48; n = 43) were from the control (C1) and intervention (C2) arms of InFANT Extend and received no additional support. Weight and waist circumference were measured objectively. Written surveys assessed diet and physical activity. Sedentary behaviour was self-reported. Linear and logistic regression assessed changes in outcomes between groups from 9 to 18 months postpartum.

RESULTS

Mean PPWR decreased in the (I) group (-1.2 kg) and the C2 group (-1.2 kg), although the changes were not significant. Mean waist circumference for all groups exceeded recommendations at baseline but decreased to below recommendations for women in the (I) group (78.3 cm) and significantly for the (I) group (-6.4 cm) compared to C1 (-1.1 cm; P = 0.002) and C2 (-3.3 cm; P = 0.001). Changes in diet, physical activity or sedentary behaviour were not significant.

CONCLUSIONS

The online intervention reported in the present study shows promise with respect to reducing waist circumference in postpartum women. Further evidence of strategies that may improve weight and related behaviours in this target group is needed.

Interdelivery weight gain and risk of cesarean delivery following a prior vaginal delivery

BACKGROUND

Approximately one third of all deliveries in the United States are via cesarean. Previous research indicates weight gain during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of cesarean delivery. It remains unclear, however, whether and to what degree weight gain between deliveries (ie, interdelivery weight gain) is associated with cesarean delivery in a subsequent pregnancy following a vaginal delivery.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the study was to determine whether interdelivery weight gain is associated with an increased risk of intrapartum cesarean delivery following a vaginal delivery.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a case-control study of women who had 2 consecutive singleton births of at least 36 weeks' gestation between 2005 and 2016, with a vaginal delivery in the index pregnancy. Women were excluded if they had a contraindication to a trial of labor (eg, fetal malpresentation or placenta previa) in the subsequent pregnancy. Maternal characteristics and delivery outcomes for both pregnancies were abstracted from the medical record. Maternal weight gain between deliveries was measured as the change in body mass index at delivery. Women who underwent a subsequent cesarean delivery were compared with those who had a repeat vaginal delivery using χ2 statistics for categorical variables and Student t tests or analysis of variance for continuous variables. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine whether interdelivery weight gain remained independently associated with intrapartum cesarean delivery after adjusting for potential confounders.

RESULTS

Of 10,396 women who met eligibility criteria and had complete data, 218 (2.1%) had a cesarean delivery in the subsequent pregnancy. Interdelivery weight gain was significantly associated with cesarean delivery and remained significant in multivariable analysis for women with a body mass index increase of at least 2 kg/m2 (adjusted odds ratio, 1.53, 95% confidence interval, 1.03-2.27 for a body mass index increase of 2 kg/m2 to <4 kg/m2; adjusted odds ratio, 1.99, 95% confidence interval, 1.19-3.34 for body mass index increase of 4 kg/m2 or more). Furthermore, women who gained 2 kg/m2 or more were significantly more likely to undergo cesarean delivery specifically for the indications of arrest of dilation or arrest of descent (adjusted odds ratio, 2.01, 95% confidence interval, 1.21-3.33 for body mass index increase of 2 to <4 kg/m2; adjusted odds ratio, 2.34, 95% confidence interval, 1.15-4.76 for body mass index increase of ≥4 kg/m2). Contrarily, women who lost ≥2 kg/m2 were less likely to undergo any cesarean delivery (adjusted odds ratio, 0.41, 95% confidence interval, 0.21-0.78) as well as less likely to undergo cesarean delivery for an arrest disorder (adjusted odds ratio, 0.29, 95% confidence interval, 0.10-0.82). Weight gain or loss was not significantly associated with a cesarean delivery for fetal indications.

CONCLUSION

Among women with a prior vaginal delivery, interdelivery weight gain was independently associated with an increased risk of intrapartum cesarean delivery in a subsequent pregnancy.