Effects of a lifestyle intervention on postpartum weight retention among women with elevated weight

OBJECTIVE: The effectiveness of a pregnancy and postpartum behavioral lifestyle intervention on postpartum weight retention was examined. METHODS: Pregnant women with overweight and obesity in South Carolina were recruited into a theory‐based randomized controlled trial (n = 112 intervention, n = 107 standard care), which was designed to reduce gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention. RESULTS: Participants (44% African American, 56% White) had a mean prepregnancy BMI of 32.3 kg/m(2) and were at 12.6 weeks’ gestation at baseline. From prepregnancy to 6 months post partum, intervention participants retained less weight than standard care women (mean difference: −3.6 kg, 95% CI: −5.5 to −1.8). The intervention effect was maintained at 12 months post partum (mean difference: −2.4 kg, 95% CI: −4.3 to −0.5). Intervention women had 2.3 times higher odds of having no weight retention at 6 months post partum versus standard care women (95% CI: 1.2 to 4.4). Intervention participants also had lower odds of retaining ≥5% of their prepregnancy weight after delivery (adjusted odds ratio: 0.3, 95% CI: 0.1 to 0.5 at 6 months; adjusted odds ratio: 0.3, 95% CI: 0.2 to 0.6 at 12 months). CONCLUSION: This theory‐based lifestyle intervention resulted in significantly less weight retention at 6 and 12 months after delivery among pregnant women with overweight and obesity.