Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2005 Mar;48(3):674-681.

Dynamics of Body Mass Index and Abdominal Fatness in Postpartum Period

• Jee BC
• Choi YS
• Ku SY
• Suh CS
• Choi YM
• Kim JG
• Moon SY
• Kim SH

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To investigate the dynamics of body mass index (BMI) and abdominal fatness of women in postpartum period, and to find cut-off values of BMI to predict android obesity.
METHODS
Forty-three 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
BMI was 24.9 +/- 2.6, 24.1 +/- 2.4, 23.0 +/- 2.4, and abdominal fatness was 0.842 +/- 0.035, 0.845 +/- 0.039, 0.839 +/- 0.036 at postpartum one day, one week, and six weeks, respectively. The incidence of overweight women (BMI 25-29.9) was 46.5%, 34.9%, 25.6%, and the incidence of android obesity (abdominal fatness>0.85) was 37.2%, 32.6%, 30.2% at each three postpartum period. The cut-off values of BMI to predict android obesity was >25.3, >23.6, and >22.9 at postpartum one day, one week, and six weeks, respectively.
CONCLUSION
The dynamics of postpartum body weight must be explored with abdominal fatness as well as BMI. Further prospective long-term follow-up studies in a larger scale will be warranted to confirm these findings.

Keyword

Android obesity; Abdominal fatness; Body mass index; Postpartum

MeSH Terms

Abdominal Fat*
Body Mass Index*
Body Weight
Electric Impedance
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Incidence
Obesity
Overweight
Postpartum Period*