Table 1.
Participant characteristics
| Variable | Total (n=505) | Appropriate weight gaina (n=250) | Excessive weight gainb (n=255) | P-value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| ||||
| Sociodemographic Characteristics | ||||
|
| ||||
| Age, mean (SD), y | 18.62 (1.70) | 18.59 (1.78) | 18.65 (1.61) | .677 |
|
| ||||
| Race or Ethnicity, n (%) | ||||
| Latina | 266 (52.7) | 131 (52.4) | 135 (52.9) | .860 |
| Black, non-Latina | 196 (38.8) | 96 (38.4) | 100 (39.2) | |
| Other | 43 (8.5) | 23 (9.2) | 20 (7.8) | |
|
| ||||
| Married or living with partner, n (%) | 221 (44.8) | 102 (41.8) | 119 (47.8) | .181 |
|
| ||||
| Health Behaviors | ||||
|
| ||||
| Dietary habitsc, mean (SD) | 16.98 (6.11) | 17.37 (6.34) | 16.60 (5.87) | .156 |
|
| ||||
| Physical activityd, mean (SD) | 5.87 (2.91) | 5.79 (2.96) | 5.95 (2.88) | .523 |
|
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| Clinical Characteristics | ||||
|
| ||||
| Pregravid BMI category, n (%) | ||||
| Underweight (BMI <18.5kg/m2) | 54 (10.7) | 39 (15.6) | 15 (5.9) | <.001 |
| Healthy weight (18.5–24.9 kg/m2) | 265 (52.5) | 146 (58.4) | 119 (46.7) | |
| Overweight (BMI 25–29.9 kg/m2) | 96 (19.0) | 32 (12.8) | 64 (25.1) | |
| Obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) | 90 (17.8) | 33 (13.2) | 57 (22.4) | |
|
| ||||
| Prenatal depressive symptoms, mean (SD) | 10.90 (8.27) | 11.36 (8.84) | 10.46 (7.66) | .221 |
|
| ||||
| Postpartum depressive symptomse, mean (SD) | 9.64 (8.51) | 9.24 (8.51) | 10.04 (8.52) | .287 |
|
| ||||
| Postpartum weight retention, mean (SD), lb | 10.65 (16.85) | 3.95 (14.28) | 17.27 (16.60) | <.001 |
Abbreviations: BMI, body mass index.
Total gestational weight gain within recommended clinical guidelines: 25–35 pounds for women with healthy pre-pregnancy weight (BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m2) and 28–40, 15–25, and 11–20 pounds for women who are underweight (BMI <18.5 kg/m2), overweight (BMI 25–29.9 kg/m2), and obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m2), respectively.10
Gestational weight gain exceeded maximum recommended weight gain based on clinical guidelines.
Dietary habits were assessed using a modified version of REAP (Rapid Eating Assessment for Patients), a 10-item measure that asks about a range of nutrition-related behaviors.32 A 5-point response scale ranges from 0 (never) to 4 (everyday). Total scores range from 0–44, with higher scores indicating poorer nutrition.
Physical activity was determined using WAVE (Weight, Activity, Variety, Excess), 32 a four-item scale that assesses frequency of moderate activity and sedentary behavior. A 5-point response scale ranges from 0 (never) to 4 (everyday). Total scores range from 0–16, with higher scores indicating more exercise.
Depressive symptoms were measured using a 15-item version of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale. A 3-point response scale ranges from 0 (less than 1 day) to 3 (5–7 days). Total scores range from 0–45, with higher scores indicating greater depressive symptoms.