The long-term effects of pregnancy weight gain and postpartum weight loss

A study examined the effects of prepregnancy weight, gestational weight gain, postpartum weight changes, and breastfeeding on maternal weight, BMI, and adjusted waist circumference at 7 years after delivery. Researchers looked at a prospective cohort of 23,701 women with singleton births and no births during follow up. Subjects were interviewed to determine weight at 6 months postpartum, 18 months postpar, and a follow-up questionnaire was used at 7 years after the index delivery for weight and waist circumference. (Kirkegaard et al, 2014)

The most significant predictor of increased maternal weight at 7 years postpartum was a high gestational weight gain resulting in increased weight retention. Weight retention at 6 months postpartum and weight gain between 6 and 18 months postpartum, independent of gestational weight gain, also had an effect on weight and waist circumference 7 years later.

Breastfeeding had a small inverse association with both weight and waist circumference at 7 years postpartum. Breastfeeding had a slightly stronger effect on waist circumference than weight.

The researchers concluded that:

• High gestational weight gain increases maternal weight 7 years later primarily by causing an increase in postpartum weight retention.
• Postpartum weight retention at 6 months and weight gain from 6-18 months postpartum contribute to increase weight and waist circumference at 7 years after delivery.
• Breastfeeding duration may have a beneficial effect.