Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to examine background and modifiable pregnancy health behavior factors predicting infant birthweight in an economically and educationally disadvantaged sample with low medical risk. Methods: Participants were recruited from a family practice center in rural Appalachia. Participants: Over 220, predominantly Caucasian and lower SES women with low risk pregnancies were included in the sample. Data were collected through systematic chart review. Half of the women smoked during pregnancy and over 10% gave birth to low birth weight (LBW; < 2500 g) babies. Results: Compared with those who gave birth to normal weight newborns, women with LBW babies had more miscarriages, but did not differ significantly on other background factors. Women who delivered LBW babies gained less weight during pregnancy and were more likely to smoke than remaining women. After control for background factors, modifiable pregnancy health behavior factors (weight gain, prenatal care, smoking, alcohol and substance use) accounted for over 11% of birth weight variance, with nearly 7% attributable solely to smoking. Conclusions: Pregnancy smoking was the strongest behavioral predictor of LBW in this economically and educationally disadvantaged rural sample, suggesting that efforts to reduce LBW in similar populations should include targeting pregnancy smoking.

The benefits of prenatal care (PNC) are extensively documented; however, controversy surrounds the extent to which benefits are experienced among different racial groups. Determining whether PNC influences positive birth outcomes and if advantages differ by race is pertinent to attaining positive health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between gestational weight gain (GWG), low birthweight (LBW), and PNC while weighing racial differences. The theoretical foundation was the motivation-facilitation theory of PNC access. Research questions were designed to (a) determine if there was a significant association between GWG and LBW, (b) determine if PNC had a mediating role if GWG was found to be associated with LBW, and (c) determine if PNC was a mediator and if that role differed between races. A quantitative, deductive correlational analysis was carried out using a retrospective observational approach. Spearman correlation showed that the relationship between GWG and LBW was significant (rs = 0.14, p < .001). Binary logistic regression was used for analysis and showed that the overall model was significant, Ï?2(12) = 50.29, p < .001, and that maternal age, race, marital status, GWG, education, body mass index (BMI), cigarette use, and gestational diabetes significantly affected the chances of LBW. Baron and Kenny's mediation analysis supported partial mediation for American Indian or Alaskan Native and Asian or Pacific Islander races and showed that PNC was significantly associated with birthweight. Based on these findings, providers can aim to implement motivational factors to increase the facilitation and use of PNC to decrease adverse birth outcomes and increase population health.

Childhood overweight and obesity are public health concerns that have negative health consequences and affect many children. Efforts are needed to identify children who are at a higher risk of developing overweight and obesity so that early detection and treatment may be offered. The intent of this study was to investigate the differences in the effects of postpartum depression on infant feeding practices and infant weight gain between Hispanic and African American women. Data were obtained from Infant Feeding Practices Study 11, a longitudinal study involving mothers in their third trimester through infants first year of life. The overall test of model coefficient of complete cases (N = 192, missing = 443) was not statistically significant (x-² = 4.842, df =2, p = 0.089). The result of the overall test after multiple imputation (n = 289) remained insignificant (on average x-² = 4.031, df = 2, p = 0.133). However, results indicated a significant association between excessive infant weight gain and feeding practices (breast feeding vs. formula feeding; r = 0.207, p = 0.01), supporting previous research on the protective effect of breast feeding on excess infant weight gain. Positive social change implications include an understanding of how maternal and infant characteristics may identify early symptoms of maternal depression, through increased awareness and reduced incidents of childhood obesity and maternal postpartum depression.

One of the primary purposes of the investigation was to examine the impact of a number of variables on the incidence of low birth weight in two states, Utah and Nevada, that have divergent low birth weight incidences. The sample size obtained from birth certificate data for this purpose was 51,147 (1969-1974) for Nevada and 26,464 (1970) and 29,422 (1974) for Utah. Additionally, separate analyses were made for Utah and Nevada data available for the year 1974. The respective sample sizes for this year were 29,422 (Utah) and 8,256 (Nevada). Least squares analysis indicated sex of the infant, race of the mother, age of the mother, parity, and county of residence were al l significantly related ( P.O:: 0 . 01) to birth weight of the infant . Examination of the birth certificate data indicated, the unmarried, black adolescent is most apt to bear a low birth weight infant in both Utah and Nevada , but the incidence of young, black, unmarried adolescents is higher in Nevada accounting in part for the divergent overall incidence of l ow birth weight be tween the two states. To supplement birth certificate information, additional questionnaire sampling was conducted in Utah and Nevada. Information on pregravid weight, pregnancy weight gain, protein intake , energy intake, smoking habits, socio -economic status, exercise patterns and over-the -counter drug use was obtained from 184 women (Utah 88, Nevada= 96). Student's t-test, stepwise regress i on and least squares analysis indicated pregravid weight and pregnancy weight gain "ere the on l y variables significantly related (P 1!.. 0.01) to birth weight .

abstract: Excessive gestational weight gain (EGWG) affects 50% of US pregnant women and may be an important contributor to obesity in both the mother and child. Novel strategies to prevent EGWG are needed to reduce the risk of adverse health outcomes for the mother and child. This dissertation presents three manuscripts that 1) propose a novel model to explain how prenatal yoga may prevent EGWG through behavioral, psychological/emotional, and physical factors, 2) test the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a prenatal yoga intervention to prevent EGWG compared to a pregnancy education comparison group, and 3) qualitatively investigate pregnant women’s experiences participating in a prenatal yoga intervention to prevent EGWG. In manuscript two, 49 women were recruited and randomized to a 12-week prenatal yoga intervention (n=23) or a time-matched pregnancy education comparison group (n=26). A satisfaction survey was administered at post-intervention to assess feasibility outcomes (e.g., acceptability, demand). Mindfulness, emotion regulation, self-awareness, sleep quality, depression, anxiety, and perceived stress were assessed at baseline and post-intervention (12-weeks) and GWG was assessed weekly. Linear mixed models were used to analyze pre-post changes in primary (i.e., GWG during pregnancy) and secondary (i.e., mindfulness, emotion regulation, self-awareness, sleep quality, depression, anxiety, and stress) outcomes. In manuscript three, interviews were conducted with pregnant women who participated in the prenatal yoga intervention (n=13). Interview responses were summarized using an inductive approach to thematic analysis. Findings in manuscript two suggest that prenatal yoga was a feasible method to prevent EGWG with high enjoyment and satisfaction reported among participants. The average number of prenatal yoga sessions attended was 8.84 (SD = 3.85). There was no significant group differences on the rate of GWG or total GWG throughout the intervention and a significant group x time interaction effect for stress (p=.03). In manuscript three, twelve themes were identified among the data and were organized into the following categories (three themes each): 1) experiences of prenatal yoga, 2) prenatal yoga and weight, 3) barriers to prenatal yoga, and 4) facilitators of prenatal yoga. This initial evidence suggests that prenatal yoga has potential as a strategy to prevent EGWG in pregnant women. / Dissertation/Thesis / Embargo form / Doctoral Dissertation Exercise and Nutritional Sciences 2019

SAMMANFATTNING I Sverige är cirka 40 procent av alla kvinnor i fertil ålder överviktiga eller har fetma. Detta medför ökade risker för kvinnan och fostret under graviditet såsom graviditetsdiabetes, preeklampsi, kejsarsnitt, intrauterin fosterdöd och barn som föds stora för tiden. I Sverige idag finns inga riktlinjer för vad som är lämplig viktuppgång utifrån Body mass index innan graviditet. Att banta under graviditet är inget som rekommenderas, men samtidigt visar studier att en överdriven viktuppgång under graviditet ökar riskerna för viktretention efter graviditeten. Det finns otillräcklig kunskap både hos gravida kvinnor och hos vårdpersonal om vad som är lämplig viktuppgång under graviditet. En kvinna som redan innan graviditet är överviktig eller har fetma utsätter sig själv och sitt ofödda barn för ytterligare risker genom överdriven viktuppgång under graviditet. Syftet med detta arbete var att undersöka interventioners effekt på att begränsa viktuppgång hos gravida kvinnor, med övervikt eller fetma, samt om dessa interventioner påverkar kvinnan eller barnet i övrigt under graviditet och förlossning. En litteraturöversikt utfördes där 15 vetenskapliga artiklar inkluderades. Artikelsökningen genomfördes i databaserna Cinahl och Pubmed. Genom att läsa artiklarna ett flertal gånger och göra understrykningar i texten hittades mönster som svarade på arbetets syfte och frågeställningar. Utifrån detta kategoriserades fakta i artiklarna. Resultatet visade att fysisk aktivitet, kostråd och beteendestrategier kan ha effekt på att begränsa viktuppgången hos gravida kvinnor med övervikt eller fetma. Många av kvinnorna som deltog i studierna förbättrade sina matvanor. I övrigt hade dessa interventioner även till viss del positiv effekt på blodtrycket och förekomsten av graviditetsdiabetes, men resultatet är på många områden inte entydigt. Ingen tydlig effekt på att begränsa födelsevikten kunde påvisas hos barnen, men det fanns en viss begränsning av barn som föddes med en födelsevikt över 4000 gram. Livsstilinterventioner kan vara effektiva för att begränsa viktuppgången under graviditet för kvinnor med övervikt eller fetma. Vidare forskning behövs för att säkerställa att detta sker på ett säkert sätt utifrån BMI klassificering.

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The objective of this study was to investigate the extent to which risk of gaining weight or body fat is affected by emotional health in women. A secondary objective was to determine the influence of age, baseline weight and body fat, physical activity (PA), energy intake, and changes in PA and energy intake, on the relationship between emotional health and gains in weight and body fat. The study was a prospective cohort investigation over 20 months of 256 healthy, non-obese females (age: 35-45 y, BMI < 30 kg/m2). All subjects were assessed for several variables using objective measurements at baseline and again at 20 months. Emotional health was assessed using the General Well-Being Schedule. Body fat percentage was indexed using the Bod Pod. PA was measured objectively using MTI (CSA) accelerometers, and energy intake was measured using weighed, 7-day food records. The results of the study demonstrated that risk of gains in weight and body fat were no greater in depressed women compared to their counterparts. However, 171 (66.8%) subjects demonstrated less than positive (LTP) emotional health at baseline, and 37.4% of these subjects gained weight during the 20-month study. Conversely, 85 (33.2%) subjects had positive emotional health at baseline, but only 23.5% gained weight over the investigational period. With no variables controlled, women with LTP emotional health had 59% greater risk of weight gain over the study period than women with positive emotional health (RR 1.59, 95% CI = 1.04-2.44). Women with LTP emotional health were at no greater risk of gains in body fat percentage than women with positive emotional health (RR 0.96, 95% CI = 0.70-1.33). After adjusting for each potential confounder individually, risk of gaining weight or body fat did not change. However, after adjusting for all of the potential confounders simultaneously, risk of weight gain was weakened (RR 1.43, 95% CI = 0.93-2.21). These results seem to demonstrate that middle-aged women with LTP emotional health may be at increased risk of gaining weight compared to women with positive emotional health.