Obesity (Silver Spring). 2026 Sep 30. doi: 10.1002/oby.70312. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine associations of gestational weight gain (GWG) and postpartum weight retention (PPWR) with women's mid-life cardiovascular health.
METHODS: We studied 838 Project Viva participants enrolled 1999-2002 (mean age: 32.6 years). We categorized GWG as inadequate, adequate, or excessive using 2009 Institute of Medicine guidelines and calculated PPWR at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years. At the Mid-Life Visit (2017-2021; mean age: 51.0 years), we derived Life's Essential 8 (LE8) scores (0-100; higher = better). We used linear regression models adjusted for pre-pregnancy BMI, age at enrollment, pregnancy smoking status, household income, and educational attainment.
RESULTS: Excessive versus adequate GWG was associated with worse weight status (β = -8.99, 95% CI: -12.81, -5.18) but not with the overall LE8 score (β = -1.93, 95% CI: -3.92, 0.07) or the biomedical domain score (β = -2.31, 95% CI: -5.66, 1.05). Each 1-kg higher 1-year PPWR was associated with worse biomedical domain (β = -0.49, 95% CI: -0.84, -0.14), weight status (β = -1.54, 95% CI: -1.90, -1.17), and blood pressure scores (β = -0.62, 95% CI: -1.15, -0.10). PPWR at 6 months and 2 years was also associated with worse glycemic traits scores.
CONCLUSIONS: Excessive GWG was associated primarily with worse mid-life weight status, whereas higher PPWR was associated with worse mid-life cardiovascular health.
PMID:42816438 | DOI:10.1002/oby.70312