Abstract
Objective: The transition to parenthood might negatively influence health-related behavior and can result in increased adiposity. The aim of this study was to investigate how body composition in mother–father dyads changes from pregnancy up to 6 months post partum. Methods: Anthropometrics were collected from 144 nulliparous couples at 12 weeks of gestation (PG12) and 6 weeks (PP6WK) and 6 months (PP6M) post partum. A longitudinal dyadic confirmatory factor analysis model was used to analyze changes in body composition. Body composition was treated as a latent variable using BMI, body fat percentage, and waist circumference as indicators. Results: For women, latent means increased at 6 weeks post partum (PP6WK − PG12: +1.115, SE: 0.117, p < 0.001), decreased again at 6 months post partum (PP6M − PP6WK: −0.368, SE: 0.107, p < 0.001), but remained above baseline levels (PP6M − PG12: +0.747; SE: 0.115, p < 0.001). For men, the latent means at follow-up were higher than at baseline (PP6WK-PG12: +0.370, SE: 0.075; PP6M-PG12: +0.366, SE: 0.084, both p < 0.001). Conclusions: Increases in latent means correspond to unfavorable changes in BMI, body fat percentage, and waist circumference. These changes were observed from the beginning of pregnancy up to 6 months post partum. Weight management for both women and men during pregnancy and the early postpartum period is recommended and fathers should be included in pre- and postnatal standard care.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 225-233 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | Obesity |
| Volume | 31 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jan 2023 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:We thank the participating hospitals, University Hospital Brussels, (Vrije Universiteit Brussel), University Hospital Leuven (KU Leuven), Jessa Hospital, and Hospital Oost-Limburg for their support in recruitment and data collection. We also thank all parents participating in this study. We would also like to thank Dr. Ron Clijsen for the anthropometric training.
Funding Information:
This research was supported by a research grant from The Research Foundation—Flanders (“Fonds voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek” [FWO]) with project number G033418 N. Roland Devlieger is holder of an FWO Fundamental Clinical Investigatorship with number 1803311 N.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 The Obesity Society.
Copyright:
Copyright 2022 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.