Predictors for weight retention and barriers for weight management in postpartum women: A cross-sectional study

Background and objectives: To study the association of postpartum weight retention with socio-demographic, obstetrics and lifestyle-related factors. To investigate barriers/myths associated with postpartum weight management. Methods: A hospital-based telephonic cross-sectional survey was carried out using a pre-developed and validated questionnaire to assess the predictors of weight retention and barriers associated with weight management. Convenience sampling technique was employed to recruit women from different phases of the postpartum period i.e. women in the first three months post-delivery, four to six months post-delivery and beyond six months post-delivery. Chi-square test and regression analysis were applied to assess the association of various factors with weight retention/weight gain in different postpartum phases. Results: The final sample comprised 505 postpartum women with a mean age of 29±4 years. Among socio-demographic variables, socio-economic status was associated with weight retention during the first three months post-delivery (p