Postpartum Maternal Weight Changes: Implications for Military Women

Abstract

More than half of the study group retained more than 2kg at about a year postpartum. One in 5 who began pregnancy normal weight became overweight (BMI>25). Despite physical training and emphasis on meeting weight standards, weight retention was as common among active duty women as among military dependents. Multivariate analysis suggested that high level of maternal weight gain during pregnancy, history of weight cycling, postpartum depression, and financial insecurity were associated with increased weight after birth. Results were inconsistent and somewhat difficult to interpret for "healthy" dieting and physical activity, perhaps because women who have the most trouble losing weight are also those who may most consistently attempt to increase exercise and reduce food intake.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2002
Accession Number
ADA410512

Entities

People

  • Barbara Abrams

Organizations

  • University of California, Berkeley

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Body Weight
  • Data Science
  • Ethnic Groups
  • Health Services
  • Human Behavior
  • Information Science
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Personnel
  • Pregnancy Complications
  • Social Psychology
  • Surveys

Fields of Study

  • Psychology

Readers

  • Exercise and Sports Science.
  • Strategic Security Studies
  • Women's Health and Cancer Risk Research: African American Women and Pregnancy Outcomes.