Epidemiologic trends and maternal risk factors predicting postpartum weight retention

Abstract

Over the past decade, women have become heavier at the time of conception, gain more weight during pregnancy, and are a greater risk of postpartum weight retention. Excessive weight gain during pregnancy is a key predictor of postpartum weight retention. Characterizing trends in postpartum weight retention can help to identify high-risk women who are susceptible to substantial weight retention postpartum and accelerated weight gain trajectories in midlife. Understanding postpartum weight trajectories can inform our efforts for primary prevention of obesity and help to reduce long-term obesity and its associated consequences.