Maternal Obesity and Patterns in Postnatal Diet, Physical Activity and Weight among a Highly Deprived Population in
Nicola Heslehurst1, Emer Cullen1, Angela C Flynn2
1Population Health Sciences Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne NE2 4AX, UK.
Insights
Postnatal women with obesity often have suboptimal diet and physical activity (PA) levels. Early interventions during pregnancy focusing on gestational weight gain (GWG) are crucial for better maternal health.
Area of Science:
- Maternal Health
- Obesity Research
- Public Health Nutrition
Background:
- Preconception obesity is linked to poor pregnancy outcomes and health inequalities.
- The postnatal period is a critical window for interventions targeting maternal health.
- Limited data exist on postnatal dietary habits, physical activity, and weight changes in women with obesity living in deprived areas.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze postnatal diet, physical activity, and weight patterns in women with obesity in deprived settings.
- To identify intervention needs for improving maternal health post-birth.
- To inform strategies for preconception care and reducing health disparities.
Main Methods:
- Secondary analysis of the GLOWING study data.
- Inclusion of 39 women with obesity from deprived areas, 3-12 months postpartum.
- Utilized food frequency questionnaires, physical activity (PA) questionnaires, and weight measurements.
Main Results:
- Women's dietary intake, particularly fruit/vegetable and oily fish consumption, was below national guidelines.
- Physical activity was predominantly of light intensity.
- Postnatal weight loss was observed compared to first and third trimester weights, with greater loss in women without excessive gestational weight gain (GWG).
Conclusions:
- Postnatal women with obesity require early support to meet dietary and PA recommendations.
- Preconception interventions should ideally start during pregnancy, emphasizing management of GWG.
- Further research in larger populations is needed to refine preconception strategies for maternal obesity and health inequalities.
Abstract:
Preconception obesity is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and deprivation. The postnatal period provides an opportunity for preconception intervention. There is a lack of published postnatal behaviour and weight data to inform intervention needs. Secondary analysis of the GLOWING study explored postnatal diet, physical activity (PA) and weight among women living with obesity in deprivation. Thirty-nine women completed food frequency and PA questionnaires and provided weight measurement(s) between 3-12 months postnatal. Women's diet and PA fell short of national guidelines, especially for fruit/vegetables (median 1.6-2.0 portions/day) and oily fish (0-4 g/day). PA was predominantly light intensity. Patterns in weight change across time points indicated postnatal weight loss compared with 1st (median -0.8 to -2.3 kg) and 3rd-trimester weights (-9.0 to -11.6 kg). Weight loss was higher among women without excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) (-2.7 to -9.7 kg) than those with excessive GWG (2.3 to -1.8 kg), resulting in postnatal weight measurements lower than their 1st trimester. These pilot data suggest preconception interventions should commence in pregnancy with a focus on GWG, and postnatal women need early support to achieve guideline-recommendations for diet and PA. Further research in a larger population could inform preconception intervention strategies to tackle inequalities in maternal obesity and subsequent pregnancy outcomes.
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