This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Carter, A. S. Articles by Brownell, K. D. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Carter, A. S. Articles by Brownell, K. D. Related Collections Nutrition Sexual Medicine: Female

Body Mass Index, Eating Attitudes, and Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety in Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period

From the Departments of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Boston (A.S.C.), Boston, MA, and Yale University (C.W.B., K.D.B.) New Haven, CT.

Address reprint requests to: Alice S. Carter, Department of Psychology, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, MA. Email: alice.carter{at}umb.edu

OBJECTIVE: This report describes associations between body mass index (BMI; kg/m²), eating attitudes, and affective symptoms across pregnancy and the postpartum period in a sample of 64 women.

METHODS: As part of a larger study, women were recruited during pregnancy and followed prospectively to 14 months postpartum. Measures included self-reported prepregnancy and 4-month postpartum BMI as well as pregnancy, 4-month, and 14-month postpartum eating attitudes (EAT), depressive symptoms (CES-D), and anxiety symptoms (STAI).

RESULTS: During pregnancy, symptoms of depression or anxiety were not significantly correlated with concurrent eating attitudes or measures of BMI. However, at 14 months postpartum, measures of eating attitudes and both depression and anxiety symptoms were associated. Measures of BMI were associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms at both 4 and 14 months postpartum. Four-month eating attitudes and BMI predicted 14-month postpartum depressive symptoms, beyond pregnancy, and 4-month postpartum measures of affective symptoms. Results suggested that overweight women were at risk for elevated anxiety at 4 months and depressive symptoms at both 4 and 14 months postpartum.

CONCLUSIONS: These results provide evidence for a significant, albeit moderate, relationship between BMI, eating attitudes, and symptoms of depression and anxiety in the postpartum period that are not present during pregnancy.

Key Words: BMI • eating • depression • anxiety • pregnancy • postpartum

Abbreviations: BMI = body mass index; EAT = Eating Attitudes Test; CES-D = Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depressed Mood Scale; STAI = State-Trait Anxiety Inventory.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				E. J. Corwin, N. Johnston, and L. Pugh Symptoms of Postpartum Depression Associated With Elevated Levels of Interleukin-1 Beta During the First Month Postpartum Biol Res Nurs, October 1, 2008; 10(2): 128 - 133. [Abstract] [PDF]

				E. J. Corwin, L. E. Murray-Kolb, and J. L. Beard Low Hemoglobin Level Is a Risk Factor for Postpartum Depression J. Nutr., December 1, 2003; 133(12): 4139 - 4142. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. B. Dixon, M. E. Dixon, and P. E. O'Brien Depression in Association With Severe Obesity: Changes With Weight Loss Arch Intern Med, September 22, 2003; 163(17): 2058 - 2065. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]