The Relationship of Diet and Physical Activity with Weight Gain and Weight Gain Prevention in Women of Reproductive Age

Reproductive-age women often see increased weight gain, which carries an increased risk of long-term overweight and obesity and adverse maternal and child health outcomes. Supporting women to achieve optimal weight through lifestyle modification (diet and physical activity) is of critical importance to reduce weight gain across key reproductive life-stages (preconception, pregnancy and postpartum). This review comprehensively summarizes the current state of knowledge on the contribution of diet and physical activity to weight gain and weight gain prevention in reproductive-aged women. Suboptimal diets including a higher proportion of discretionary choices or energy intake from fats, added sugars, sweets or processed foods are associated with higher weight gain, whereas increased consumption of core foods including fruits, vegetables and whole grains and engaging in regular physical activity are associated with reduced weight gain in reproductive age women. Diet and physical activity contributing to excessive gestational weight gain are well documented. However, there is limited research assessing diet and physical activity components associated with weight gain during the preconception and postpartum period. This review highlights the need for further research to identify key dietary and physical activity components targeting the critical windows of reproductive life-stages in women to best guide interventions to prevent weight gain.

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Diet and physical activity as determinants of weight gain, overweight and obesity: The WCRF/AICR evidence and policy implications

Proceedings of The Nutrition Society ◽

10.1017/s0029665120001561 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽

Author(s):

Isobel Bandurek ◽

Emily Almond ◽

Susannah Brown ◽

Giota Mitrou ◽

Ifigeneia Bourgiezi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Health Policy ◽

Weight Gain ◽

Public Health Policy ◽

Screen Time ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Diet And Physical Activity ◽

Adults And Children

AbstractIntroductionGlobally, over 1.97 billion adults and 338 million children and adolescents are living with overweight and obesity, increasing the risk of numerous co-morbidities, including at least 12 cancers(1). WCRF/AICR conducted a literature review of diet and physical activity as determinants of weight gain, overweight and obesity in adults and children. We also introduce a novel evidence-based policy framework for promoting physical activity, and linked database, currently in development as part of the EU-funded CO-CREATE project on child and adolescent obesity prevention.Materials and MethodsEvidence on diet and physical activity as determinants and risk of weight gain, overweight and obesity was systematically extracted from existing reviews and a systematic search for recent meta-analyses, then collated and analysed. The WCRF Continuous Update Project Expert Panel drew conclusions about which exposures influence risk of weight gain, overweight and obesity, using pre-defined criteria that included evidence of biological plausibility.ResultsThe Panel identified strong evidence that several diet and physical activity related exposures influence the risk of weight gain, overweight and obesity in adults and children (see table 1). Separate conclusions were drawn for adults and children in relation to screen time, considered a marker of sedentary time.However, the Panel noted that as exposures tend to cluster, physiologically interact and share common biological mechanisms, they should not be regarded as absolutely ‘singular'but an integrated concept of interrelated exposures within a pattern of lifestyle. Table 1.Risk of weight gain, overweight and obesitySTRONG EVIDENCEDECREASES RISKINCREASES RISKCONVINCINGWalkingScreen time (children)Sugar sweetened drinksPROBABLEAerobic physical activityFoods containing dietary fibre‘Mediterranean type’ dietary patternHaving been breastfedScreen time (adults)‘Fast foods’‘Western type’ dietFor full list of footnotes, see Energy Balance and Body Fatness report(1).DiscussionHealthy dietary patterns help prevent excess weight gain. Achieving such patterns requires attention to the broader economic, environmental and social factors that influence and constrain people's behaviour. The findings of this report support the need for evidence-based public health policy to help create health-enabling environments, particularly for children and adolescents. The WCRF International MOVING framework(2) presents a package of policies to promote physical activity, which alongside wider public health policy can help address the multiple drivers of overweight and obesity.

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Behaviour Change Techniques in Weight Gain Prevention Interventions in Adults of Reproductive Age: Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu14010209 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 209

Author(s):

Mamaru Ayenew Awoke ◽

Cheryce L. Harrison ◽

Julie Martin ◽

Marie L. Misso ◽

Siew Lim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Weight Gain ◽

Energy Intake ◽

Behaviour Change ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Reproductive Age ◽

Behaviour Change Techniques ◽

Weight Gain Prevention ◽

Prevention Interventions ◽

Meta Regression

Weight gain prevention interventions are likely to be more effective with the inclusion of behaviour change techniques. However, evidence on which behaviour change techniques (BCT) are most effective for preventing weight gain and improving lifestyle (diet and physical activity) is limited, especially in reproductive-aged adults. This meta-analysis and meta-regression aimed to identify BCT associated with changes in weight, energy intake and physical activity in reproductive-aged adults. BCT were identified using the BCT Taxonomy (v1) from each intervention. Meta-regression analyses were used to identify BCT associated with change in weight, energy intake and physical activity. Thirty-four articles were included with twenty-nine articles for the meta-analysis. Forty-three of the ninety-three possible BCT listed in the taxonomy were identified in the included studies. Feedback on behaviour and Graded tasks were significantly associated with less weight gain, and Review behaviour goals was significantly associated with lower energy intake. No individual BCT were significantly associated with physical activity. Our analysis provides further evidence for which BCT are most effective in weight gain prevention interventions. The findings support that the use of key BCT within interventions can contribute to successful weight gain prevention in adults of reproductive age.

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What young Dutch adults say they do to keep from gaining weight: self-reported prevalence of overeating, compensatory behaviours and specific weight control behaviours

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980007258537 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 10 (8) ◽

pp. 790-798 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

B Wammes ◽

S French ◽

J Brug

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Weight Gain ◽

Weight Control ◽

Specific Weight ◽

Self Report ◽

Weight Gain Prevention ◽

Prevention Strategies ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Overweight People ◽

Diet And Physical Activity

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of and differences in self-reported occasions of overeating (such as at celebrations and other parties), compensatory behaviours and specific weight gain prevention strategies among young Dutch adults according to sociodemographics and overweight status.Design and subjectsCross-sectional data were analysed from Dutch adults aged 20–40 years, recruited from an Internet research panel (n = 857, response rate = 76.6%). Using electronic questionnaires, self-report data were collected on sociodemographics, body mass index (BMI), occasions of overeating, compensatory behaviours, and diet and physical activity used as weight gain prevention strategies. Associations were tested using multiple linear and logistic regression analyses.ResultsOf the participants, 48.6% reported occasions of overeating at least once a week during the 4-week period, 44.6% reported compensating for these occasions and 72.9% reported engaging in dietary and physical activities specifically for weight gain prevention purposes. Only 32.1% of the respondents reported using the recommended combination of diet and physical activity as a weight gain prevention strategy. In addition, results showed that overweight people (BMI ≥ 25 kg m-2) and women were more likely to report overeating than people with healthy body weights (odds ratio (OR) = 1.79; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.32–2.42) and men (OR = 1.50; 95% CI 1.14–1.97). Overweight people, women and people who regularly reported overeating were also significantly more likely to report compensatory behaviours by eating less and to report specific weight gain prevention strategies using diet and physical activity.ConclusionThe present study suggests that people experience frequent occasions of overeating and try to compensate for such occasions in different ways. However, the combination of dietary changes and physical activity recommended by experts was seldom reported.

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Women in the Workplace: Promoting Healthy Lifestyles and Mitigating Weight Gain during the Preconception, Pregnancy, and Postpartum Periods

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17030821 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (3) ◽

pp. 821

Author(s):

Seonad K. Madden ◽

Helen Skouteris ◽

Cate Bailey ◽

Andrew P. Hills ◽

Kiran D. K. Ahuja ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Promotion ◽

Weight Gain ◽

Workplace Health Promotion ◽

Working Women ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Adverse Outcomes ◽

Reproductive Age ◽

Considerable Proportion ◽

Workplace Health ◽

Pregnancy And Postpartum

Overweight and obesity before, during, and after pregnancy are associated with adverse outcomes for mothers and their offspring. Workplaces have been identified as important settings for improving health and wellbeing. However, the value of workplace interventions for women across the reproductive life stages has yet to be realized. This paper aims to explore the potential of workplaces to facilitate healthy lifestyle behaviors, prevent further weight gain, and devise tailored interventions for working women, specifically during the preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum periods. Workplaces can be used to engage women, including preconception women, who are detached from clinical settings. Potential benefits of workplace health promotion for women and employers include improved employee wellbeing, productivity, and corporate competitiveness. However, workplaces also need to overcome implementation barriers such as activity scheduling and availability. A systems approach may address these barriers. Consequently, designing and implementing workplace health promotion interventions to meet the specific needs of working women of reproductive age will necessitate collaboration with a range of key stakeholders across all stages of intervention design. Given that these women make up a considerable proportion of the workforce, workplaces can help optimize the health status of employees and prevent excess weight gain during the preconception, pregnancy, and postpartum periods.

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Prevalence of Underweight, Overweight, and Obesity Among Reproductive-Age Women and Adolescent Girls in Rural China

American Journal of Public Health ◽

10.2105/ajph.2016.303499 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 106 (12) ◽

pp. 2103-2110 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Yuan He ◽

An Pan ◽

Ying Yang ◽

Yuanyuan Wang ◽

Jihong Xu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Adolescent Girls ◽

Rural China ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Reproductive Age ◽

Reproductive Age Women

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Formative work to design a digital learning self-assessment and feedback tool to prevent weight gain among college students

Digital Health ◽

10.1177/2055207620979458 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

pp. 205520762097945

Author(s):

Melissa A Napolitano ◽

Sarah Beth Lynch ◽

Meghan N Mavredes ◽

Benjamin D Shambon ◽

Laurie Posey

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

College Students ◽

Weight Gain ◽

Usability Testing ◽

Formative Research ◽

Weight Gain Prevention ◽

Digital Learning ◽

High Fat ◽

Prototype Development ◽

Sugary Beverages

Objective While colleges have implemented brief, tailored interventions for health-risk areas such as alcohol prevention, theoretically-guided digital learning offerings for weight gain prevention have lagged behind in programming and implementation. Thus, the objective was to design and usability test a weight gain prevention digital learning platform for college students with modules targeting key nutrition and physical activity behaviors. Methods Development occurred in iterative phases: formative research, descriptive normative data collection, prototype development, and usability testing. Formative research consisted of background work and survey administration to incoming and current freshmen. Prototype development was guided by theories of behavior change and cognitive processing, and consisted of brief assessment and feedback using written text, graphs, and videos. Iterative usability testing was conducted. Results Current freshmen reported eating more quick order meals per week than incoming freshman, but fewer high-fat snacks and fewer sugary beverages. Current freshmen reported more sedentary time than incoming freshmen. Based on iterative testing results, eight behavioral targets were established: breakfast, high-fat snacks, fried foods, sugary beverages, fruit/vegetables, physical activity, pizza intake, and sedentary behavior. Initial usability testers indicated the modules were easy to understand, held their attention, and were somewhat novel. Analysis of qualitative feedback revealed themes related to content, layout, structure and suggested refinements to the modules. Conclusions A gap exists for evidence-based obesity prevention programs targeted to adolescents as they transition into adulthood. Brief, tailored digital learning interventions show promise towards addressing key behavioral nutrition and physical activity targets among students during the transition to college.

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Body Mass Index and Adult Weight Gain Among Reproductive Age Women With Migraine

Headache The Journal of Head and Face Pain ◽

10.1111/j.1526-4610.2010.01833.x ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 51 (4) ◽

pp. 559-569 ◽

Cited By ~ 38

Author(s):

Michelle Vo ◽

Abinnet Ainalem ◽

Chunfang Qiu ◽

B. Lee Peterlin ◽

Sheena K. Aurora ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Weight Gain ◽

Body Mass ◽

Reproductive Age ◽

Adult Weight ◽

Reproductive Age Women

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Antenatal body mass index (BMI) and weight gain in pregnancy – its association with pregnancy and birthing complications

Journal of Perinatal Medicine ◽

10.1515/jpm-2015-0172 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 44 (4) ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Josefine Theresia Maier ◽

Elisabeth Schalinski ◽

Ulrich Gauger ◽

Lars Hellmeyer

Keyword(s):

Weight Gain ◽

Gestational Weight Gain ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Labor Induction ◽

Reproductive Age ◽

Common Finding ◽

Pregnancy Weight Gain ◽

Gestational Weight ◽

Pregnancy Weight ◽

In Pregnancy

AbstractOverweight and obesity is a serious health risk in both developed and developing nations. It is a common finding among women in their reproductive age. Half of patients entering their pregnancy in the US have a BMI >25.0 and therefore qualify as overweight or obese. Moreover, there is a tendency towards increased weight gain during pregnancy. Studies have shown that gestational overweight is associated with complications in pregnancy and birthing as well as short-term and long-term impacts on neonatal outcome in childhood and adulthood.Five hundred and ninety-one women visiting our tertiary perinatal center in 2014 were analyzed for antenatal BMI, gestational weight gain, as well as pregnancy outcome and complication together with neonatal weight and outcome. Pregnancy weight gain was assessed based on the IOM guidelines (Institute of Medicine) issued in 2009.Twenty-nine percent of our population was overweight with a BMI of more than 25.0. The general weight gain was in every BMI group similar (median ranging from 12.0 to 14.0 kg). Approximately one third gained more than the appropriate amount (37%, P<0.001). Women with more gestational weight were at risk of labor induction (55.0% vs. 45.7% labor induction in total, P=0.007). Strikingly, those patients were found to have significantly higher rates of secondary cesarean section (22.4% vs. 15.4%) and decreased chances of spontaneous vaginal birth (57.5% vs. 61.4%) (P=0.008). Furthermore women with a pregnancy weight gain in excess of the guidelines gave birth to neonates with a higher birth weight (>75.centile, 28.3% vs. 21.3%, P<0.001).Altogether, one third of the analyzed population is already overweight or obese when entering pregnancy. A higher gestational weight gain than the recommended amount was found in 37% of cases. We found an association with pregnancy and birthing complications as well as higher infant weight. This highlights the importance of preconceptive and prenatal advice, and if necessary, intervention on BMI and weight gain.

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