Open AccessWeight Retention Predictors for Taiwanese Women at Six-Month Postpartum
Author(s) -
Tzu Ting Huang,
Fong Tai Dai
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the journal of nursing research/the journal of nursing research
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.537
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 1948-965X
pISSN - 1682-3141
DOI - 10.1097/01.jnr.0000387595.94413.90
Subject(s) - medicine , overweight , childbirth , pregnancy , obstetrics , body mass index , obesity , postpartum period , weight gain , weight management , body weight , biology , genetics
The purpose of this study was to identify factors potentially associated with weight retention measured 6 months after childbirth. A descriptive correlative design was used to systematically women who had given birth at a medical center located in northern Taiwan. Questionnaires were mailed to 810 subjects and a total of 602 valid questionnaires were collected, representing a response rate of 74.32%. The results of this study included: The average body mass index (BMI) was 21.5 (SD = 3.32) at pre-pregnancy, and 22.48 (SD = 3.39) at 6 months after childbirth. Average weight retention was 2.42 kg. Overweight and obese conditions increased among subjects from 18.27% pre-pregnancy to 27.57% at 6 months after childbirth. Significant predictors of weight retention identified in this study included gestational weight gain (GWG), perceived body image satisfaction, and pre-pregnancy weight, which, together, explained 34.5% of postpartum weight retention variance. Determinant factors identified by the analysis highlight the need for bodyweight management intervention during pregnancy as well as through the first 6-month postpartum as a way to reduce obesity and the incidence of obesity-related diseases.