Influence of prenatal perceived stress on postpartum weight retention is mediated by high gestational weight gain in women with overweight

This study examined: (a) pre‐pregnancy weight status (ie, normal, overweight, obesity) differences in PPWR and its psychosocial determinants (perceived s ocial support, perceived stress, depression) in women with excessive GWG (ie, above 2009 Institute of Medicine guidelines); and (b) whether GWG mediated associations between psychosocial determinants and PPWR. Women (N = 1352) reported third trimester perceived social support, perceived stress, and depressive symptoms, GWG, and 6‐ and 12‐month PPWR via telephone interviews. Multivariate ANOVA analyses showed women with normal weight had higher 6‐month PPWR than women with obesity; univariate ANOVA showed no group differences in psychosocial factors. Hayes mediation analyses indicated tha t GWG mediated the association between perceived stress and PPWR in women with overweight but not women with normal weight or obesity; perceived stress predicted GWG, and in turn, PPWR. Prenatal perceived stress may be a modifiable target of GWG and PPWR. Future research is needed to examine the uti lity of tailoring perinatal weight regulation interventions to reduce perceived stress in pregnant women with overweight.
Source: Clinical Obesity - Category: Eating Disorders & Weight Management Authors: Tags: Original Research Article Source Type: research