Overweight/obesity, gestational weight gain, postpartum weight retention, and maternal/neonatal complications in the military

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of overweight/obesity and excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) among military beneficiaries and to assess associations of these risk factors with maternal/neonatal complications and substantial postpartum weight retention (PPWR). Methods: We obtained data for 48,391 TRICARE beneficiaries who gave birth in 2018 or 2019 in the United States. We used logistic regression and ANOVA to examine relationships among overweight/obesity, GWG, maternal/neonatal complications, and substantial PPWR. Results: Most TRICARE beneficiaries (75%) had excessive GWG, and 42% had substantial PPWR. Dependents were less likely than active-duty women to have excessive GWG (odds ratio [OR] = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.60–0.88). Women with excessive GWG were three times more likely to have substantial PPWR (OR = 3.57, 95% CI: 3.14–4.06). Those with excessive GWG were more likely to have maternal/neonatal complications (e.g., pregnancy-induced hypertension, cesarean delivery). Conclusions: Excessive GWG is frequent among TRICARE beneficiaries, particularly active-duty personnel, and is strongly associated with costly maternal/neonatal complications. Substantial PPWR is also common in this population, with excessive GWG as a key risk factor.