TITLE

Prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms among obese pregnant and postpartum women: an intervention study

AUTHOR(S)

Claesson, Ing-Marie; Josefsson, Ann; Sydsjö, Gunilla

PUB. DATE

January 2010

SOURCE

BMC Public Health;2010, Vol. 10 Issue 1, p766

SOURCE TYPE

Academic Journal

DOC. TYPE

Article

ABSTRACT

Background: Although studies have shown an association between anxiety and depression and obesity, psychological health among obese women during and after pregnancy has not been carefully studied. The aim of this study was to investigate psychological well-being using symptoms of depression and/or anxiety among obese pregnant women attending a weight gain restriction program and to then compare this group with a control group receiving traditional antenatal care. Methods: 151 obese pregnant women in an intervention group and 188 obese pregnant women in a control group answered the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Group differences between the two groups were estimated by using the χ² - test on categorical variables. The Student's t-test on continuous, normally distributed variables measuring changes in mean score on BAI and EPDS over time was used. To make a more comprehensive assessment of group differences, between as well as within the two groups, logistic regressions were performed with the BAI and EPDS as dependent variables, measured at gestational weeks 15 and 35 and 11 weeks postnatal. The grouping variable has been adjusted for sociodemographic variables and complications. Results: The prevalence of symptoms of anxiety during pregnancy varied between 24% and 25% in the intervention group and 22% and 23% in the control group. The prevalence of symptoms of anxiety postnatally was 9% in the intervention group and 11% in the control group. Five percent of the women in the intervention group and 4% of the women in the control group showed symptoms of anxiety during the course of pregnancy and at the postpartum assessment. The prevalence of symptoms of depression during pregnancy varied between 19% and 22% in the intervention group but was constant at 18% in the control group. Postnatal prevalence was 11% in both groups. Six percent of the women in the intervention group and 4% in the control group showed symptoms of depression during the course of pregnancy and at the postpartum assessment. We found no differences between the two groups as concerns demographic characteristics, weight gain in kg, or the distribution of scores on anxiety and depressive symptoms nor did we find differences in the fluctuation of anxiety and depressive symptoms over time between the women in the intervention group and in the control group. Conclusion: Obese pregnant women attending an intervention program seem to have the same risk of experiencing anxiety and/or depressive symptoms as do obese pregnant and postnatal women in general.

ACCESSION #

57224540

 

Related Articles

• Postpartum anxiety, depression and social health: findings from a population-based survey of Australian women. Yelland, Jane; Sutherland, Georgina; Brown, Stephanie J. // BMC Public Health;2010, Vol. 10 Issue 1, p771 

  Background: Whilst the prevalence and correlates of postpartum depression are well established, far less is known about postpartum anxiety. Studies have described the association between socio-demographic factors and postpartum depression, yet few have explored the association between stressors...

• Prospective study into puerperal depression. Dalton, Katharina; Dalton, K // British Journal of Psychiatry;Jun71, Vol. 118 Issue 547, p689 

  A prospective study of mood changes through pregnancy and puerperium was undertaken by a research group centred on the North Middlesex Hospital, Edmonton, London. Data collected from 189 women revealed an evolution of mood changes in those who later developed puerperal depression, which was...

• Dealing with pregnancy-related depression, or the 'baby blues'. LoBuono, Charlotte // Drug Topics;6/5/2006 Supplement, Vol. 150, p15s 

  The article provides information on postpartum obsessive-compulsive disorder (PPOCD) experienced by women during pregnancy. It is defined as an obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorder seen in women become consumed with certain thoughts and images shortly after giving birth. Elizabeth Goldman, a...

• Interleukin-1beta elevation during the postpartum period. Corwin, Elizabeth J.; Bozoky, Ingrid; Pugh, Linda C.; Johnston, Nancy // Annals of Behavioral Medicine;2003, Vol. 25 Issue 1, p41 

  During the postpartum period, women frequently report increased fatigue, which, if severe, may interfere with maternal-child bonding, delay a new mother's return to her activities of daily living, and contribute to depression. Several studies have sought to determine psychosocial contributions...

• CHARACTERISTICS OF DEPRESSION IN OBESE PEOPLE LIVING IN AN INSECURE ENVIRONMENT. Stolic, R. V.; Trajkovic, G. Z.; Mihailovic, B.; Sipic, M. V.; Celic, D. B.; Lazic, S. F.; Nikolic, G. R.; Sovtic, S. R.; Stolic, D. Z. // Indian Journal of Medical Sciences;Jul2010, Vol. 64 Issue 7, p307 

  BACKGROUND: Obesity and depression are significant characteristics of people living in a state of chronic stress. PURPOSE: Our aim was to determine the characteristics of depression in obese people living in an insecure unstable environment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The case-control study was...

• FIGHTING Depression ON MY OWN. Looby, Kyle // Alive: Canada's Natural Health & Wellness Magazine;Oct2002, Issue 240, p76 

  Relates the experience of the author in fighting against depression. Effects of depression on the interpersonal relation of a person; Treatments for the disorder; Prevalence of nutritional deficiencies among depressed people.

• Maternal psychological distress during pregnancy does not increase the risk for adverse birth outcomes. Staneva, Aleksandra A.; Morawska, Alina; Bogossian, Fiona; Wittkowski, Anja // Women & Health;Jan2018, Vol. 58 Issue 1, p92 

  Maternal psychological distress during pregnancy is a potential risk factor for various birth complications. This study aimed to explore psychological factors associated with adverse birth outcomes. Symptoms of psychological distress, individual characteristics, and medical complications were...

• The role of stress in the onset of depressive disorders: A controlled study in a Spanish clinical sample. Rojo-Moreno, L.; Livianos-Aldana, L.; Cervera-Martínez, G.; Dominguez-Carabantes, J. A.; Reig-Cebrian, M. J. // Social Psychiatry & Psychiatric Epidemiology;Dec2002, Vol. 37 Issue 12, p592 

  Background: We conducted the present study to evaluate the impact of stressful events on the onset of depressive disorders in a Spanish clinical sample, compared to a control group matched for age, sex, civil status and social class. We compared our results with those of other studies carried...

• Subsyndromal Unipolar and Bipolar Disorders II: Comparisons on Daily Stress Levels. Lovejoy, M. Christine; Steuerwald, Brian L. // Cognitive Therapy & Research;Dec97, Vol. 21 Issue 6, p607 

  We examined the stress patterns of individuals with cyclothymia, intermittent depression, and no affective disorder in a nonclinical sample. In a conceptual replication and extension of Goplerud and Depue (1985), participants completed a standardized measure of hassles and ratings of their most...

Read the Article