The Impact of a Lifestyle Intervention on Postpartum Weight Retention Among At-Risk Hispanic Women.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

This study assesses the impact of a culturally modified, motivationally targeted, individually tailored intervention on postpartum weight retention among Hispanic women with abnormal glucose tolerance during pregnancy.

METHODS:

Estudio Parto (Project Aiming to Reduce Type twO diabetes) was an RCT conducted in Western Massachusetts (collected 2013‒2017, analyzed 2018-2020). Hispanic women with blood glucose ≥140 mg/dL (7.77 mmol/L) on routine nonfasting oral glucose challenge test were randomized to a Lifestyle Intervention (n=100) focusing on healthy exercise and diet or to a comparison Health and Wellness Intervention (n=104) with no mention of exercise or diet behavior changes. The primary outcome was change in weight, calculated as the difference between prepregnancy weight and 6-week, 6-month, and 12-month postpartum weight. The secondary outcome was achievement of weight reduction to prepregnancy weight if prepregnancy BMI was normal, or a 5% reduction if prepregnancy BMI was overweight/obese.

RESULTS:

In intent-to-treat analyses, there were no significant differences in weight change pattern between the intervention arms across all follow-up timepoints (β=0.03, 95% CI= -3.38, 3.45). However, at 12 months postpartum, women in the Lifestyle Intervention arm had a statistically significant 2.5-fold higher odds of meeting the secondary weight reduction outcome (OR=2.52, 95% CI=1.09, 5.82) than women in the Health and Wellness arm. Regardless of intervention arm, women who reported higher levels of postpartum sports/exercise had a greater decrease in weight (β= -2.39, 95% CI= -4.66, -0.13, p=0.04) than women reporting lower levels.

CONCLUSIONS:

In this randomized trial among Hispanic women, no significant overall differences in weight change pattern between intervention arms were observed. Higher levels of self-reported physical activity were associated with greater weight loss in both arms.

• Authors: Madhuri Palnati, Bess H Marcus, Penelope Pekow, Milagros C Rosal, JoAnn E Manson, Lisa Chasan-Taber
• Journal: American journal of preventive medicine (Am J Prev Med) Vol. 61 Issue 1 Pg. 44-54 (07 2021) ISSN: 1873-2607 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 33994252 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2021 American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Female
• Gestational Weight Gain
• Hispanic or Latino
• Humans
• Life Style
• Massachusetts
• Obesity
• Postpartum Period
• Pregnancy