The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #67536

Sarah Altman, MPH, MD, School of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, 2424 Haste Street A42, Berkeley, CA 94704, Barbara Abrams, DrPH, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, UC Berkeley School of Public Health, Haviland Hall, School of Public Health University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, 510 642-4216, barbara@socrates.berkeley.edu, and Steve Selvin, PhD, School of Public Health, Division of Biostatistics, University of California, Berkeley, 140 Warren Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720.

Objective: To explore the relationship between post-partum depressive symptoms (as measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) Scale) during the first postpartum year and maternal postpartum weight retention, history of weight cycling, and concerns about body image. Methods: Cross sectional data were analyzed using 516 participants in the “After the Baby Comes Study” with normal prepregnancy body mass indexes. Twenty percent of the respondents were active duty while the remainder of the sample made up of wives of servicemen. Postpartum weight and questionnaire data on depression, maternal stressors and psychosocial and demographic data were collected at an average of 4.5 months after birth. Data on depression were analyzed using multivariable regression, multiple logistic and m logit models that yielded similar results. Results: The prevalence of CES-D score > 16 was 39.0%. After adjusting for marital satisfaction, maternal stress, race, income and other maternal characteristics, maternal postpartum weight retention was significantly associated with a CES-D score > 16 (OR=1.06; 95% CI 1.01,1.10). Neither history of weight cycling or concerns about body image were associated with an elevated CES-D score. Other significant predictors included marital dissatisfaction, self-perceived stress, stress about childcare and Asian race. Conclusion: Our study suggests that maternal weight retention may play a role in postpartum depression. The mechanism for this association does not appear to act though history of weight cycling or concerns about body image.

Learning Objectives:

Participant will:
• Recognize the high prevalence of postpartum depression across multiple ethnic groups
• Describe risk factors for postpartum depression
• Understand the relationship between maternal body size, behaviors and postpartum depression.

Keywords: Depression, Maternal Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.