Abstract
Background: It is unknown to what extent higher maternal blood pressure (BP) in early postpartum impacts the relationship between higher maternal weight status and greater infant weight gain in early postpartum. Objective: To evaluate the mediating role of higher maternal BP at 1 month postpartum on the association between higher maternal weight status at 1 month postpartum and greater infant weight gain over 6 months postpartum. Methods: Participants were 169 Hispanic mother-infant pairs. Maternal body mass index (BMI) and BP were assessed at 1 month postpartum. Infant weight was measured at 1 and 6 months postpartum to calculate weight-for-age z scores (WAZ). Multiple linear regression models were used for prediction, and Sobel test was used to determine mediation. Results: Controlling for maternal pre-pregnancy BMI, age, delivery mode, infant sex, and infant birth weight revealed that both maternal BMI (β =.29) and BP (β =.32) predicted infant WAZ gain (both P ≤.03). However, the relationship between infant WAZ gain and maternal BMI was no longer significant after further adjustment for maternal BP, which remained significant (P <.05). Maternal BP explained 23.6% (Sobel T = 2.01) of the association between maternal BMI at 1 month and infant WAZ gain over 6 months. Conclusion: Our data suggest that higher maternal weight status at 1 month postpartum is related to greater infant weight gain over 6 months postpartum, and this relationship is mediated by higher maternal BP at 1 month postpartum.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Article number | e12560 |
Journal | Pediatric Obesity |
Volume | 14 |
Issue number | 11 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2019 Nov 1 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This study was funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIH R01 DK110793) and the Gerber Foundation (15PN-013). M.I.G. was responsible for funding acquisition, study design, and oversight. P.K.B. was responsible for manuscript conceptualization and statistical analysis. N.K.P. and J.H.R. provided statistical consultation and support. All authors contributed to the interpretation of the data. P.K.B. was responsible for writing the manuscript. All authors were involved in reviewing and editing the manuscript. All authors had final approval of the submitted version. The authors thank the participating mothers for their commitment to this research. We also thank Carla Flores, Danielle Garcia, Rosa Rangel, Paola Garcia, Elizabeth Campbell, and Claudia Rios for coordination and recruitment for this project.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 World Obesity Federation
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
- Health Policy
- Nutrition and Dietetics
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health