Improving Maternal Cardiovascular Health in Underserved Populations: a Narrative Review of Behavioral Intervention Trials Targeting Postpartum Weight Retention.
Maryam Yuhas, Caroline Fletcher Moore, Jessica Garay, Susan D Brown
Author Information
Maryam Yuhas: Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, Syracuse University, 558 White Hall, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA. myuhas@syr.edu. ORCID
Caroline Fletcher Moore: Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, Syracuse University, 558 White Hall, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA.
Jessica Garay: Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, Syracuse University, 558 White Hall, Syracuse, NY, 13244, USA.
Susan D Brown: Department of Internal Medicine, Davis School of Medicine, University of California, Sacramento, CA, USA.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Racial/ethnic minority and socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals experience greater postpartum weight retention, which has been linked to the development of cardiovascular disease. This article reviews recent literature on behavioral interventions targeting postpartum weight retention in these populations. RECENT FINDINGS: Seven randomized controlled trials published since 2010 were selected for this review. Four were successful in reducing or preventing postpartum weight retention. Recruitment primarily occurred in low-income urban areas. All interventions reported using the Social Cognitive Theory and targeted mostly individual-level behavior change focused on diet and physical activity. Four were technology-based, and most implemented strategies to increase cultural relevance of the intervention. Opportunities for future interventions include expand target population to enroll individuals starting in pregnancy and address rural populations; incorporate empirically tested retention strategies; increase focus on psychosocial factors, particularly chronic stress; utilize multilevel approaches; continue to leverage technology; and maximize efforts to increase cultural relevancy.
