The changes of body mass index and abdominal fatness in postpartum period.

Sang, Jae Hong; Lee, Eun Sil; Park, Hyoung Moo

Original Article

Korean Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 2007;50(12):1720-1726.
Published online December 1, 2007.

The changes of body mass index and abdominal fatness in postpartum period.

Jae Hong Sang, Eun Sil Lee, Hyoung Moo Park

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Chungang University, Seoul, Korea. elleob@cau.ac.kr

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To investigate the changes of body mass index (BMI) and abdominal fatness of women in postpartum period, and to evaluate the relationship between two factors. METHODS: Sixty uncomplicated postpartum women were included. BMI and abdominal fatness using bioelectric impedance method were measured three times; at postpartum one day, one week, and six weeks. RESULTS: Mean BMI was 25.9+/-3.9 kg/m2, 24.8+/-3.8 kg/m2, 23.5+/-3.8 kg/m2, and abdominal fatness was 0.843+/-0.058, 0.850+/-0.054, 0.849+/-0.056 at postpartum one day, one week, and six weeks, respectively. The incidence of overweight women (BMI 23-24.9 kg/m2) was 35%, 25%, 20%, and the incidence of obesity women (BMI> or =25 kg/m2) was 45%, 38.3%, 26.7%, and the incidence of android obesity (abdominal fatness>0.85) was 43.3%, 43.3%, 38.3% at each three postpartum period. The cut-off values of BMI to predict android obesity was >24.9 kg/m2, >23.2 kg/m2, and >22.6 kg/m2 at postpartum one day, one week, and six weeks, respectively. CONCLUSION: The changes of postpartum body weight must be explored with abdominal fatness as well as BMI, and standard references for each postpartum periods are needed.

Key Words: Postpartum period, Body mass index, Abdominal fatness, Android obesity