Korean J Obstet Gynecol.  2007 Dec;50(12):1720-1726.

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

• Sang JH
• Lee ES
• Park HM

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.

Keyword

Postpartum period; Body mass index; Abdominal fatness; Android obesity

MeSH Terms

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