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Maternal Stress Predicts Postpartum Weight Retention

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Abstract

Postpartum weight retention (PPWR) is a significant contributor to the development of overweight and obesity in women of childbearing age. Stress may be a key mechanism making it more difficult for mothers to lose weight in the year following delivery. The aim of this study was to assess whether specific aspects of parenting stress and life stress influence postpartum weight retention in new mothers. Women in late pregnancy or up to 2 months postpartum (n = 123) were enrolled in the study and followed through the first year postpartum. Linear regression models evaluated the associations of parenting stress (isolation, attachment and depressive symptoms) as well as overall life stress at 2, 6, and 12 months postpartum with PPWR at 6 and 12 months. During the first year postpartum, higher depression and life stress were significantly associated with greater PPWR. As the effect of depression diminished, the effect of life stress became significant. Contrary to hypothesized relationships, fewer problems with attachment and less social isolation were significantly associated with greater PPWR. Higher gestational weight gain and African American race were also significantly associated with greater PPWR at both 6 and 12 months. Different types of stress predict weight retention in first time mothers during the first year postpartum. Understanding the relationships between parenting stress, concurrent life stress and PPWR can enhance the development of future interventions that specifically target self-identified stressors, leading to improved weight related outcomes.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH) R21 HL091284A2. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (DYH) or the NIH. The first author’s participation in this research was supported in part by research training Grant T32-GM081740 from the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of General Medical Sciences.

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The authors have no financial disclosures to report.

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Author notes

  1. Deborah Young-Hyman

    Present address: Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research, Office of the Director, NIH, 31 Center Drive, Building 31, Room B1-C19; MSC 2027, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of South Carolina, 921 Assembly Street, Suite 318, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA

    Kara Whitaker

  2. Georgia Regents University, 1120 15th. St HS-1640, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA

    Marlo Vernon

  3. University of South Carolina, 921 Assembly Street, 1st Floor, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA

    Sara Wilcox

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  1. Kara Whitaker
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  2. Deborah Young-Hyman
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Correspondence to Deborah Young-Hyman.

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Deborah Young-Hyman was faculty at Georgia Regents University when work for this manuscript was conducted.

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Whitaker, K., Young-Hyman, D., Vernon, M. et al. Maternal Stress Predicts Postpartum Weight Retention. Matern Child Health J 18, 2209–2217 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-014-1470-7

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