Efficacy of a lifestyle intervention for weight management in postpartum women: A randomised controlled trial at a tertiary care centre in India.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Postpartum period is a crucial window for implementing interventions aimed at preventing the future development of obesity and associated metabolic complications in the vulnerable population. Various weight loss interventions have been evaluated with variable results, and sufficient data are lacking in the Indian context. The study aims to assess the efficacy of intensive personalised lifestyle intervention on weight management for Indian postpartum women.

METHODS

This was a randomised controlled trial wherein purposive sampling technique was used to recruit postpartum women with overweight and obesity (n = 60) attending a tertiary care hospital. Women were randomised at 10-12 weeks post-delivery into intervention (n = 30) and control (n = 30) groups. Women randomised to the intervention group received intensive individualised lifestyle counselling along with motivational support whereas the control group received conventional/standard therapy. Measurements were made at baseline and after six months, owing to the dropouts, the data were analysed for 48 women (n= 25 intervention, n = 23 control).

RESULTS

After six months of intervention, the median weight change in the intervention group was -4.8 (IQR -5.4,-3.9) kg, compared to -1.6 (IQR -2.3,0.9) kg in the control group. The lifestyle intervention reduced body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio, and body fat percent (P < 0.05). The intervention also demonstrated the potential to improve various markers of glucose and lipid metabolism.

CONCLUSION

The individualised lifestyle counselling intervention can produce significant weight loss results along with other health benefits in postpartum women with overweight and obesity.