Influence of Nutrition Attitudes and Motivators for Eating on Postpartum Weight Status in Low-Income New Mothers

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to identify attitudes about nutrition and their influence on weight status in low-income mothers in the first year postpartum.DesignNutrition attitudes were assessed at 1.5, 6, and 12 months postpartum. Body weight was measured at each time point and height at 1.5 months to calculate body mass index. Nutrition attitudes at each time were compared with demographic variables and weight status.SubjectsSubjects were 340 non-Hispanic white (31.3%), non-Hispanic black (25.1%), and Hispanic (43.7%) new mothers (mean age=22.4 years) located in central Texas. Criteria for participation included good health at delivery and low income (≤185% federal poverty guideline).Statistical analysesχ2 tests were used to compare demographic groups to categorical variables. Multivariate analysis of variance was done to investigate the effect of demographic variables on instrument subscale scores. A repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to identify significant changes over time.ResultsObese women had higher barriers to healthful eating subscale means at 1 year compared with normal and overweight subjects at 1.5 and 6 months, and had more barriers than overweight participants at 12 months. Obese individuals also had higher emotional eating subscale scores than did overweight women at 1.5 months and both normal and overweight subjects at 12 months.ConclusionsWomen who were obese at 1 year postpartum were more likely to perceive more barriers to healthful eating and respond more to emotional cues to eat. Health professionals could emphasize potential changes and difficulties often faced in postpartum and identify techniques to overcome these obstacles to healthful eating.