Mental health after childbirth and the impact on postpartum weight retention and body composition. Data from the INTER-ACT randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Objective: To study the evolution of maternal mental health during the first year after childbirth in women with previous excessive gestational weight gain, and the relationship with postpartum weight retention and body composition. Methods: Anthropometric and mental health data of 505 women of the INTER-ACT RCT control group were collected and assessed using descriptive statistics and mixed model analyses. Results: At 6 weeks postpartum 28% of women reported depressive symptoms, 46% anxiety, 47% low sense of coherence and 48% low quality of life. From 6 weeks to 12 months postpartum there was a monthly increase ( + 038, p= .003) in anxiety and a monthly decrease (+0.39, p= .008) in quality of life. High levels of depressive symptoms at 6 weeks postpartum predicted higher body fat ( - 0.9%, p =.01) and higher waist circumference (+1.3 cm, p = .02) in the first year postpartum. High sense of coherence at 6 weeks postpartum predicted lower body fat ( 0.8%, p= .01) the first year postpartum. Conclusions: In women with a history of excessive gestational weight gain, the first year after childbirth is characterized by a high prevalence of mental health problems in which levels of anxiety and quality of life deteriorate over time. Moreover, high levels of depressive symptoms and low sense of coherence in the first weeks postpartum predict unfavourable body composition outcomes in the year after childbirth.