Real-Time Experiences of Racism and Stress in Association With Postpartum Weight Retention: A Longitudinal Ecological Momentary Assessment Study

Authors

Dara M Méndez
Amanda L Tapia
Sarah A Sanders
Andrea D Casas
Marquita Smalls
Esa M Davis
Stephen L Rathbun
Tiffany L Gary-Webb
Lora E Burke
Serwaa S Omowale
Linda A Adodoadji
John J Gianakas
Y Lai
Maisa Feghali
Meredith L Wallace

Language

English

Publication Date

8-5-2025

Journal

American Journal of Epidemiology

DOI

10.1093/aje/kwae424

PMID

39526406

PMCID

PMC12342877

PubMedCentral® Posted Date

11-11-2024

PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

Post-print

Abstract

Racial inequities in postpartum weight have been documented with limited studies on the influences of racism and other forms of discrimination. In a prospective longitudinal study applying ecological momentary assessment (EMA) and ambulatory assessment of weight, we measured the association between discrimination, stress, and postpartum weight change. The Postpartum Mothers Mobile Study is a cohort of 313 pregnant and birthing individuals who were followed during their second and third trimesters through 1 year postpartum. They were recruited in clinical settings between 2017 and 2020 in a major city center in Pennsylvania. Measures of racism and gender-based discrimination were collected via random EMA surveys throughout pregnancy and postpartum, and weight was collected via Bluetooth-enabled scales at least weekly. Among Black participants, a 10% increase in the number of days a participant experienced racial discrimination in the past month was associated with retaining 0.3 more pounds, a 10% increase in EMA gender discrimination was associated with retaining 0.4 more pounds, and EMA stress reported in the past month was associated with decreased weight retention. Chronic experiences of racial and gender discrimination may contribute to weight retention immediately after pregnancy and beyond.

Keywords

Humans, Female, Adult, Longitudinal Studies, Stress, Psychological, Pregnancy, Postpartum Period, Racism, Ecological Momentary Assessment, Prospective Studies, Pennsylvania, Black or African American, Young Adult, Weight Gain, White, discrimination, stress, pregnancy, postpartum, weight, EMA

Published Open-Access

yes

Recommended Citation

Méndez, Dara M; Tapia, Amanda L; Sanders, Sarah A; et al., "Real-Time Experiences of Racism and Stress in Association With Postpartum Weight Retention: A Longitudinal Ecological Momentary Assessment Study" (2025). Faculty, Staff and Student Publications. 1295.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/uthsph_docs/1295