Prediction of Postpartum Weight in Low-Income Mexican-Origin Women From Childhood Experiences of Abuse and Family Conflict

Abstract

Objectives: The postpartum period represents a crucial transition period in which weight gain or loss can affect lifetime obesity risk. This study examined the prevalence of obesity and the influence of childhood abuse and family conflict on postpartum weight among low-income Mexican-origin women. Depressive symptoms and partner support were evaluated as mediators.

Methods: At a prenatal assessment, low-income Mexican-origin women (N = 322; mean [SD] age, 27.8 [6.5]) reported on childhood abuse and family conflict. Weight was measured 7 times between 6 weeks and 2 years postpartum and calculated as body mass index. Regression and growth models were used to estimate the impact of childhood abuse, childhood family conflict, partner support, and depressive symptoms on weight and weight change.

Results: Higher family conflict predicted higher weight across the first (β = .12; p = .037) and second (β = .16; p = .012) postpartum years. Family conflict (β = .17; p = .018) and low partner support (β = -.16; p = .028) also predicted increasing weight in the first year. Partner support partially mediated the effect of childhood abuse on weight change in the first year (p = .031). Depressive symptomatology mediated the effects of childhood abuse and family conflict on weight status in the second year (abuse: p = .005; conflict: p = .023).

Conclusions: For low-income Mexican-origin women with a history of childhood abuse or high family conflict, depression and low partner support may be important targets for obesity prevention efforts in the postpartum period.

Figure 1

Childhood abuse, family conflict, and maternal weight in the first postpartum year. “Childhood abuse/conflict” (in separate models); standardized estimates (SE) for abuse shown above lines; standardized estimates (SE) for family conflict shown below lines. “wk” – week”; “mo.” = month. Statistically significant estimates are shown in bold font. Covariates (maternal age, number of children, country of birth, and breastfeeding), error terms, covariance between intercept and slope, and the covariance between the two mediators are not displayed in order to simplify presentation.

Figure 2

Childhood abuse, family conflict, and maternal BMI in the second postpartum year. “Childhood abuse/ conflict (in separate models); standardized estimates (SE) for abuse model shown above lines; standardized estimates (SE) for family conflict model shown below lines. “mo.” = months. Statistically significant estimates (p < .05) are shown in bold font. Covariates (maternal age, number of children, country of birth, and breastfeeding), error terms, and the covariance between the two mediators are not displayed in order to simplify presentation.

Figure 3

Estimated means of postpartum BMI in the first postpartum year by childhood family conflict. BMI = body mass index (kg/m²); “Low conflict” = childhood family conflict < sample mean; “High conflict” = childhood family conflict > sample mean. “wk” = weeks; “mo” = months; “yr” = year. Error bars are standard errors.