Investigation of factors affecting postpartum maternal weight retention: A cross-sectional study

To examine weight retention and affecting factors among 12-18 months postpartum women..

The descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from January 1 to June 30, 2012 at Gazikent 3rd Primary Health Care Centre, Izmir, Turkey, and comprised pregnant women registered with the centre in their 12-18 months postpartum phase. Data was collected using Mother Introduction Form and International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form. SPSS 15 was used for data analysis.

There were 239 women with a mean age of 30.81±4.59 years. Of the total, 182(76.2%) subjects had weight retention; 106(44.4%) having 0.5-5kg, and 49(20.6%) with 5.5-10 kg. Overall mean weight retention rate was 4.09±4.90kg (range: -9-27kg). Weight retention had significant correlations with chronic illness (p=0.037), having been educated about physical exercise during pregnancy (p=0.001), skipping meals (p=0.036), average pre-pregnancy weights (p=0.019), average pre-pregnancy body mass index (p=0.049), average weight gained during pregnancy (p=0.009), achieving weight gain during pregnancy as recommended by the Institute of Medicine guidelines (p=0.002), and mean physical activity score (p=0.006).

Women should be monitored for their body mass index and weight in the postpartum period and during pregnancy.