Acculturation Influences Postpartum Eating, Activity, and Weight Retention in Low-Income Hispanic Women

Abstract

Background: Low-income Hispanic women experience elevated rates of high postpartum weight retention (PPWR), which is an independent risk factor for lifetime obesity. Sociocultural factors might play an important role among Hispanic women; however, very few studies have examined this association.

Objective: The purpose of our study was to examine the associations between acculturation and maternal diet, physical activity, and PPWR.

Design: This is a cross-sectional study of baseline data from 282 Hispanic women participating in the FitMoms/Mamás Activas study, a randomized controlled trial examining the impact of primarily an internet-based weight control program, in reducing PPWR among low-income women. We performed multivariable linear regression to examine the association of acculturation with diet quality, physical activity, and PPWR at study entry.

Results: A total of 213 (76%) women had acculturation scores reflecting Mexican orientation or bicultural orientation, whereas 69 (24%) had scores that represented assimilation to Anglo culture. Women who were more acculturated had lower intakes of fruits and vegetables, lower HEI scores, and lower physical activity levels than women who were less acculturated (p < 0.05). We found an association between acculturation and PPWR in that for every 1-unit increase in acculturation score, PPWR increased, on average, by 0.80 kg.

Conclusion: Higher acculturation was associated with poorer diet and physical activity behaviors and greater PPWR.

Keywords: acculturation; diet; health disparities; obesity; physical activity; postpartum weight retention.

Conflict of interest statement

No competing financial interests exist.

Figures

FIG. 1.

Associations of acculturation with postpartum weight retention. Model 1 adjusts for months postpartum at study entry. Model 2 adjusts for postpartum months at study entry, age at study entry, education level, breastfeeding, and parity. Model 3 adjusts for postpartum months at study entry, age at study entry, breastfeeding, parity, HEI2010 score, total minutes of sedentary activity, and prepregnancy BMI. Model 4 adjusts for postpartum months at study entry, age at study entry, breastfeeding, parity, HEI2010 score, total minutes of sedentary activity, prepregnancy BMI, and gestational weight gain. *p < 0.05.