Title:The Effects of Exercise on Postpartum Weight Retention in Overweight and Obese Women
VOLUME: 13 ISSUE: 1
Author(s):Kirsty J. Elliott-Sale*
Affiliation:Musculoskeletal Physiology Research Group, Sport Health and Performance Enhancement (SHAPE) Research Centre, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Erasmus Darwin Building, Clifton Lane, Nottingham, NG11 8NS
Keywords:Body mass, gestation, obesity, physical activity, post-natal, overweight, postpartum weight retention.
Abstract:Obesity is a global phenomenon with unfavourable clinical and economic outcomes. The
prevalence of maternal obesity has risen at similar rates to global obesity and has two distinct
population pathways. Firstly, pregnancy has been identified as a risk factor for the development of
obesity due to extreme gestation gain and/or prolonged postpartum weight retention. Secondly, the
number of pre-gravid obese women has increased dramatically over recent years, making this a highrisk
medical group. As such, effective interventions are necessary to prevent and reduce the
incidence of excessive gestational weight gain and persistent postpartum weight retention,
particularly in overweight and obese women. The focus of this review is on the postpartum period,
which includes the first twelve months following childbirth. Exercise has many potential benefits for
these women, but, despite considerable interest in the effects of physical activity on maternal body
mass, few exercise-based randomised controlled trials exist. Two studies have implemented low to
moderate intensity walking programmes as weight management interventions, with limited success.
Two, more recent studies have used resistance exercises and active videogames to promote weight
loss, however while both types of interventions resulted in significant weight loss, these reductions
were not significantly different from the corresponding control groups. As such, a proof of principle
with regards to exercise and weight retention in overweight and obese women is not available. More
investigation is warranted in this important research area and future studies should be based on
accessible, progressive, appropriate and effective exercise strategies.
