Two‐year follow‐up of a postpartum weight loss intervention: Results from a randomized controlled trial

We recently reported that a 12‐week diet intervention among postpartum women produced a weight loss of 12% after 1 year, compared to 5% in controls. Here, we present 2‐year results after 1 year of unsupervised follow‐up. In total, 110 women with a self‐reported body mass index of ≥27 kg/m 2 at 6–15‐week postpartum were randomized to diet group (D‐group) or control group (C‐group). D‐group received a 12‐week diet intervention by a dietitian followed by monthly e‐mails up to the 1‐year follow‐up. C‐group received a brochure on healthy eating. No contact was provided from 1 to 2 years to either group. Eighty‐nine women (81%) completed the 2‐year follow‐up. Median (1st; 3rd quartile) weight change from 0 to 2 years was −6.9 (−11.0; −2.2) kg in D‐group and −4.3 (−8.7; −0.2) kg in C‐group. There was no group by time interaction at 2 years ( p  = .082); however, when women with a new pregnancy between 1 and 2 years were excluded, the interaction became significant (−8.2 vs. −4.6 kg, p  = .038). From 1 to 2 years, women in D‐ and C‐group gained 2.5 ± 5.0 kg and 1.1 ± 4.4 kg, respectively ( p  = .186). Women who gained weight from 1 to 2 years reported a decrease in self‐weighing frequency compared to women who maintained or lost weight ( p  = .008). Both groups achieved clinically relevant 2‐year weight loss, but the significant between‐group‐difference observed at 1 year was not maintained at 2 years in the main analysis. However, when women with a new pregnancy between 1 and 2 years were excluded, a significant weight loss effect was observed also at 2 years.