Weight Retention Predictors for Taiwanese Women at Six-Month Postpatrtum

本研究的目的是要確認出產後六個月婦女體重留置的因素。本研究為一個描述性相關性研究設計，由系統抽樣某北部醫學中心一年內生產的婦女，總共寄出810份問卷，其中有602份(74.32%)有效問卷寄回。本研究結果呈現：研究對象之平均身體質量指數(BMI)在孕前及產後六個月各為21.5(SD=3.32)和22.48(SD=3.39)，平均體重留置是2.42公斤，體重過重和肥胖比率則由孕前的18.27%增加到產後六個月的27.57%；孕期體重增加的量、感受到身體心像的滿意度、和孕前的體重是產後體重留置的重要預測因子，共可解釋34.5%的變異量。確認出造成體重留置的因子，強調出婦女在孕期及產後的第一個六個月期間其體重管理措施的重要性，適當的措施可減少肥胖及因肥胖而造成的疾病。
The purpose of this study was to identify factors potentially associated with weight retention measured 6 months after childbirth. A descriptive correlative design was used to systematically women who had given birth at a medical center located in northern Taiwan. Questionnaires were mailed to 810 subjects and a total of 602 valid questionnaires were collected, representing a response rate of 74.32%. The results of this study included: The average body mass index (BMI) was 21.5 (SD = 3.32) at pre-pregnancy, and 22.48 (SD = 3.39) at 6 months after childbirth. Average weight retention was 2.42 kg. Overweight and obese conditions increased among subjects from 18.27% pre-pregnancy to 27.57% at 6 months after childbirth. Significant predictors of weight retention identified in this study included gestational weight gain (GWG), perceived body image satisfaction, and pre-pregnancy weight, which, together, explained 34.5% of postpartum weight retention variance. Determinant factors identified by the analysis highlight the need for bodyweight management intervention during pregnancy as well as through the first 6-month postpartum as a way to reduce obesity and the incidence of obesity-related diseases.