REDUCING POSTPARTUM WEIGHT RETENTION THROUGH A CORRESPONDENCE INTERVENTION

OBJECTIVE: Since post-pregnancy weight retention may contribute to the development of obesity, we sought to determine whether a behavioral w eight loss intervention was effective in returning women to their pre- pregnancy weight. METHOD: Ninety women who had given birth in the past 3-12 months and whose weight exceeded their prepregnancy weight by at least 6.8kg were randomly assigned to either: a) a six-month behavior al weight loss intervention, delivered via correspondence or b) a no-t reatment control group. Assessments of body weight, physical activity and eating patterns were conducted at pre-treatment and six months (po st-treatment). RESULTS: During the six month treatment, subjects in th e correspondence condition last significantly more weight than control subjects (7.8 kg vs 4.9 kg, P=0.03) and lost a greater percentage of their excess postpartum weight (79% vs 44%, P = 0.01). Furthermore, a significantly greater percentage of correspondence subjects than contr ols returned to their pre-pregnancy weight (33% vs 11.5%, P < 0.05). W eight loss in the correspondence group was correlated with completion of self-monitoring records (r=0.50, P < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: A behavio ral weight loss intervention, delivered via correspondence, appears to be effective in reducing women's postpartum weight retention. Future studies should examine the acceptability and the long-term impact of a correspondence postpartum weight loss intervention.