scholarly journals Can green space quantity and quality help prevent postpartum weight gain? A longitudinal study

2019 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 295-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoqi Feng ◽  
Thomas Astell-Burt

BackgroundPostpartum weight gain is a well-known challenge for many mothers, but associations with green space quantity and quality have not been investigated.MethodsThis longitudinal study used data on 3843 mothers living in Australia tracked biennially for 15 years post partum from 2004 onwards. Multilevel growth curve models adjusted for confounding were used to examine the patterning of body mass index (BMI) in relation to green space quantity, measured by percentage land use, and green space quality, measured by self-report. Two-way interaction terms were fitted to investigate time-contingent associations between BMI and green space.ResultsCompared with mothers in areas with ≤5% green space, adjusted BMI coefficients were −0.43 kg/m2 (SE 0.37), −0.69 kg/m2 (SE 0.32) −0.86 kg/m2 (SE 0.33) and −0.80 kg/m2 (SE 0.41) among mothers in areas with 6%–10%, 11%–20%, 21%–40% and ≥41% green space, respectively. There were no independent associations between BMI and green space quality. Evidence suggested mothers living in areas with 21%–40% green space had the lowest BMI, whether they agreed that local parks were good quality (−0.89 kg/m2 (SE 0.34)) or not (−0.93 kg/m2 (SE 0.35)). Mothers in the greenest areas only had statistically significantly lower BMI if they perceived local parks as high quality (−0.89 kg/m2 (SE 0.41)). There was limited evidence that these associations varied with respect to the number of years post partum.ConclusionThese findings may suggest that urban greening strategies to achieve a threshold of at least 21% or more green space in an area may help reduce, but not fully prevent postpartum weight gain. Potential mechanisms warrant investigation.

2018 ◽  
Vol 108 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadia Micali ◽  
Haya Al Essimii ◽  
Alison E Field ◽  
Janet Treasure

ABSTRACT Background To our knowledge, no previous studies have investigated longitudinal outcomes of maternal loss of control over eating (LOC) in pregnancy in a general population sample. Objective We aimed to determine whether pregnancy LOC is associated with dietary, gestational weight gain, and offspring birth-weight outcomes in a large population-based prospective study of pregnant women and their children. We also explored the association with offspring weight at age 15.5 y. Design Women (n = 11,132) from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) were included. Crude and adjusted logistic and multinomial regression models were used. LOC in pregnancy and diet at 32 wk of gestation were assessed by self-report. Pregnancy weight gain and birth weight were obtained from obstetric records. Child weight and height were objectively measured at age 15.5 y. Results LOC in pregnancy was common (36.3%). Women with pregnancy LOC reported higher total energy intake, consumed more snacks, and had lower vitamin B-6, A, and C intake compared with women without LOC. Women with frequent LOC had lower vitamin B-1 and folate intake [respectively: b = −0.05 (95% CI: −0.07, −0.02) and b = −7.1 (95% CI: −11.8, −2.3) in adjusted analyses], and gained on average 3.74 kg (95% CI: 3.33, 4.13 kg) more than women without LOC. Frequent and occasional LOC were associated with higher birth weight [respectively: b = 0.07 (95% CI: 0.03, 0.1), b = 0.04 (95% CI: 0.02, 0.06)]. Offspring of mothers with frequent pregnancy LOC had 2-fold increased odds of being overweight/obese at 15.5 y [OR = 2.02 (95% CI: 1.37, 3.01)]. Conclusions Pregnancy LOC eating is common and has an adverse short- and long-term impact on mother and offspring, but has received very limited attention. Our findings further the understanding of risk factors for obesity and highlight a need for improved identification of maternal pregnancy loss of control eating. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03269253.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Charlotte Booth ◽  
Annabel Songco ◽  
Sam Parsons ◽  
Lauren Charlotte Heathcote ◽  
Elaine Fox

Abstract Background Adolescence is a time of considerable social, cognitive, and physiological development. It reflects a period of heightened risk for the onset of mental health problems, as well as heightened opportunity for flourishing and resilience. The CogBIAS Longitudinal Study (CogBIAS-L-S) aims to investigate psychological development during adolescence. Methods We present the cohort profile of the sample (N = 504) across three waves of data collection, when participants were approximately 13, 14.5, and 16 years of age. Further, we present descriptive statistics for all of the psychological variables assessed including (a) the self-report mood measures, (b) the other self-report measures, and (c) the behavioural measures. Differential and normative stability were investigated for each variable, in order to assess (i) measurement reliability (internal consistency), (ii) the stability of individual differences (intra-class correlations), and (iii) whether any adolescent-typical developmental changes occurred (multilevel growth curve models). Results Measurement reliability was good for the self-report measures (> .70), but lower for the behavioural measures (between .00 and .78). Differential stability was substantial, as individual differences were largely maintained across waves. Although, stability was lower for the behavioural measures. Some adolescent-typical normative changes were observed, reflected by (i) worsening mood, (ii) increasing impulsivity, and (iii) improvements in executive functions. Conclusions The stability of individual differences was substantial across most variables, supporting classical test theory. Some normative changes were observed that reflected adolescent-typical development. Although, normative changes were relatively small compared to the stability of individual differences. The development of stable psychological characteristics during this period highlights a potential intervention window in early adolescence.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex S. F. Kwong ◽  
David Manley ◽  
Nicholas J. Timpson ◽  
Rebecca M. Pearson ◽  
Jon Heron ◽  
...  

AbstractDepression is a common mental illness associated with increased substance misuse and risk of suicide. Potential risk factors for depression include sex and depressive symptoms in early life, however the mechanisms responsible are not yet understood. Research has focused on late childhood and adolescence as this developmental period may be a modifiable risk factor that prevents or reduces depression at a later stage. It is also important to establish at what ages the level of depression is changing as this will help identify critical points to intervene with treatment. We used multilevel growth-curve models to explore adolescent trajectories of depressive symptoms in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, a UK based pregnancy cohort. Using data from 9301 individuals, trajectories of depressive symptoms were constructed for males and females between 10.6 and 22.8 years old. We calculated the age of peak velocity for depressive symptoms (the age at which depressive symptoms increases most rapidly) and the age of maximum depressive symptoms. Adjusted results suggested that being female was associated with a steeper trajectory compared to being male (per 1 year increase in relation to depressive symptoms: 0.128, SE = 0.035, [95% CI: 0.059, 0.198]; p <0.001). We found evidence suggesting that females had an earlier age of peak velocity of depressive symptoms (females 13.7 years old, SE = 0.321, [95% CI: 12.9, 14.4] and males 16.4 years old, SE = 0.096, [95% CI: 16.2, 16.6]; p <0.001), but weak evidence of an earlier age of maximum depressive symptoms (p = 0.125). Possible mechanisms that underlie this sex difference include the roles of pubertal development and timing. Using multilevel growth curve models to estimate the age of peak velocity and maximum depressive symptoms for different population subgroups may provide useful knowledge for treating and preventing later depression.


2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. P. Mourtakos ◽  
K. D. Tambalis ◽  
D. B. Panagiotakos ◽  
G. Antonogeorgos ◽  
C. D. Alexi ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Han Shi Jocelyn Chew ◽  
Violeta Lopez

Objective: To provide an overview of what is known about the impact of COVID-19 on weight and weight-related behaviors. Methods: Systematic scoping review using the Arksey and O’Malley methodology. Results: A total of 19 out of 396 articles were included. All studies were conducted using online self-report surveys. The average age of respondents ranged from 19 to 47 years old, comprised of more females. Almost one-half and one-fifth of the respondents gained and lost weight during the COVID-19 pandemic, respectively. Among articles that examined weight, diet and physical activity changes concurrently, weight gain was reported alongside a 36.3% to 59.6% increase in total food consumption and a 67.4% to 61.4% decrease in physical activities. Weight gain predictors included female sex, middle-age, increased appetite, snacking after dinner, less physical exercise, sedentary behaviors of ≥6 h/day, low water consumption and less sleep at night. Included articles did not illustrate significant associations between alcohol consumption, screen time, education, place of living and employment status, although sedentary behaviors, including screen time, did increase significantly. Conclusions: Examining behavioral differences alone is insufficient in predicting weight status. Future research could examine differences in personality and coping mechanisms to design more personalized and effective weight management interventions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiana Borgers ◽  
Nathalie Krüger ◽  
Silja Vocks ◽  
Jennifer J. Thomas ◽  
Franziska Plessow ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Fear of weight gain is a characteristic feature of anorexia nervosa (AN), and reducing this fear is often a main target of treatment. However, research shows that 20% of individuals with AN do not report fear of weight gain. Studies are needed that evaluate the centrality of fear of weight gain for AN with a method less susceptible to deception than self-report. Methods We approximated implicit fear of weight gain by measuring implicit drive for thinness using implicit association tests (IATs). We asked 64 participants (35 AN, 29 healthy controls [HCs]) to categorize statements as pro-dieting vs. non-dieting and true vs. false in a questionnaire-based IAT, and pictures of underweight vs. normal-weight models and positive vs. negative words in a picture-based IAT using two response keys. We tested for associations between implicit drive for thinness and explicitly reported psychopathology within AN as well as group differences between AN and HC groups. Results Correlation analyses within the AN group showed that higher implicit drive for thinness was associated with more pronounced eating disorder-specific psychopathology. Furthermore, the AN group showed a stronger implicit drive for thinness than HCs in both IATs. Conclusion The results highlight the relevance of considering fear of weight gain as a continuous construct. Our implicit assessment captures various degrees of fear of weight gain in AN, which might allow for more individually tailored interventions in the future.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1587
Author(s):  
Yasmin Amaral ◽  
Leila Silva ◽  
Fernanda Soares ◽  
Daniele Marano ◽  
Sylvia Nehab ◽  
...  

Background: To evaluate the potential factors associated with the nutritional composition of human milk of puerperal women. Methods: cross-sectional study, conducted between March 2016 and August 2017, with 107 women, selected in a Tertiary Health Care Tertiary Health Facility of the Unified Health System (SUS) in the Municipality of Rio de Janeiro. Data were collected two months after delivery. The dependent variable of the study was the nutritional composition of human milk. We divided the independent variables into hierarchical levels: distal (age, schooling, parity and pregestational nutritional status), intermediate (number of prenatal visits and gestational weight gain) and proximal (alcohol consumption, smoking, diabetes mellitus and hypertension). For data analysis, we applied the multiple linear regression, centered on the hierarchical model. Only the variables associated with the nutritional composition of breast milk remained in the final model at a 5% level of significance. Results: The nutritional composition of human milk yielded by women with pregestational overweight, smokers and hypertensive had higher amounts of lipids and energy. Conversely, women with gestational weight gain below the recommended had lower amounts of these components. Conclusion: The evaluation of factors associated with the nutritional composition of human milk is extremely important to assist post-partum care practices. In this study, we observed that lipid and energy contents were associated to pregestational nutritional status, gestational weight gain, smoking and hypertension.


1998 ◽  
Vol 79 (02) ◽  
pp. 328-330 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Wright ◽  
J. M. Thomson ◽  
A. Sidebotham ◽  
C. F. Hirst ◽  
P. Hirsch ◽  
...  

SummaryA longitudinal study of 21 pregnant women has been undertaken using a variety of factor VII assays, including factor VIIa, to investigate the increase of factor VIIc. All assays demonstrated significant rises (p <0.001), most marked for factor VIIa (82%) and factor VIIc rabbit (81%). Smaller rises were seen for factor VIIc bovine (50%) and VII antigen (40%). Three indirect measures of activity state, factor VIIc rabbit:antigen, bovine:antigen and bovine:rabbit, provided conflicting data. Factor VIIa:antigen showed a significant increase of 36% (p <0.001). Within individual pregnancies the change in factor VIIc rabbit and antigen correlated with maternal weight gain (p <0.05). Two activity state measures, bovine:rabbit and bovine:antigen, showed negative correlation with birthweight. The increases in both zymogen and in activity state appear to contribute to the factor VIIc rise. The extent of this rise appears to be influenced by maternal weight gain. Increased factor VII activation is associated with reduced foetal growth.


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