Postpartum weight retention and cardiovascular risk

Abstract

Introduction: Pregnancy has been considered a risk period of excessive weight gain leading to postpartum weight retention in the short, medium and long terms and therefore to woman´s obesity with significant health risks. Objective: To determine relationships of the pre-pregnancy nutritional state and gestational weight gain with postpartum weight retention as a cardiovascular risk factor. Method: Cross-sectional study in 29 women, apparently healthy, with postpartum weight retention by the year. Results: There were found average values of pre-pregnancy body mass index increased in 1.9 kg/m2 by the postpartum year, an average weight gain of gestational retention of 18.8 kg and weight retention of 11.3 kg; 34.5% of pregnant women found to be pre-hypertensive and 20.7%, hyperreactive. The waist/height index showed statistically significant differences. Conclusions: Weight gain above the recommended has a positive relationship with postpartum weight retention, but states of pre-hypertension and vascular hyperreactivity appear to be associated with this retention. The waist/height index was the most effective indicator of cardiovascular risk.