OBJECTIVETo identify the risk factors that affect the postpartum weight retention among women and provide evidence for the prevention of obesity and metabolic disorders due to childbirth.

METHODSThe baseline data were collected from 1 220 postpartum women who had given childbirth 42 days ago in Hefei Maternal and Child Health Care Center, Anhui province. Their pre-pregnancy weight, weight gain during pregnancy and childbirth information were obtained from local maternal information management system, and the follow up for the women were conducted at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after childbirth. The sedentary behaviors of the women were observed. The relationship between postpartum weight retention and sedentary behavior of the women were analyzed by mixed-effects model analysis and repeated measures analysis of variance.

RESULTSThe pre-pregnancy average body weight (kg) of the women was (53.22 ± 6.88), and their postpartum average body weight retention was (7.85 ± 5.11), (7.51 ± 5.40), (5.79 ± 5.18), (4.42 ± 4.91) and (3.26 ± 4.65) at 42 days, 3, 6, 9, 12 months later after childbirth, respectively. The differences in body weight retention at different times after childbirth indicated by repeated measures analysis of variance were statistical significant (P < 0.001). Mixed-effects model analysis showed the postpartum sedentary behavior and postpartum body weight retention was statistically associated after adjusting for pre-pregnancy BMI, feeding pattern, delivery mode and other confounding factors (P < 0.001), Mixed-effects model analysis results tended to be stable after step by step adjustment for confounding factors.

CONCLUSIONThe results of this study suggested that postpartum sedentary behavior is one of the important factors influencing postpartum weight retention.