Dynamics of Body Mass Index and Abdominal Fatness in Postpartum Period / 대한산부인과학회지

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.