Plasma leptin influences gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention

T. Peter Stein, Theresa O. Scholl, Margaret D. Schluter, Christine M. Schroeder

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

47 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Leptin, a product of the obese (ob) gene, is released from adipocytes. At the same body mass index, women have higher concentrations than men. Thus, during pregnancy, leptin may influence gestational weight gain and retention of a portion of that gain postpartum. Objective: We examined the relation between plasma leptin at entry to prenatal care and subsequent changes in weight from entry to prenatal care (at 17 wk gestation, baseline) until 6 mo postpartum. Design: This was an observational study of leptin, gestational weight gain, and postpartum weight retention (at 6 wk and 6 mo postpartum) in 103 low-income pregnant women from Camden, NJ, with a pregravid body mass index (in kg/m2) in the normal range (19.8-26). Results: After potential confounding variables were controlled for, leptin at entry significantly (P < 0.05) predicted weight gain in pregnancy, including measured rate of weight gain (̄ ± SEE: 0.25 ± 0.13 kg·unit log leptin- 1·wk-1), measured rate of third-trimester weight gain (0.37 ± 0.15 kg·unit log leptin-1·wk-1), rate of weight gain from recalled pregravid weight (0.23 ± 0.09 kg·unit log leptin-1 wk-1), and net rate of gestational weight gain (0.22 ± 0.09 kg·unit log leptin-1·wk-1). The leptin concentration at entry also significantly predicted retained weight in the postpartum period (at 6 mo: 7.29 ± 3.33 kg/unit log leptin at entry) and marginally predicted changes in the sum of skinfold thicknesses (at 6 mo: 14.7 ± 7.5 mm/unit log leptin at entry). Conclusion: These results suggest that a high leptin concentration at entry to prenatal care may predict an increased risk of over-weight and obesity in vulnerable women.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1236-1240
Number of pages5
JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Volume68
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1998

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • Nutrition and Dietetics

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Plasma leptin influences gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this