'Can-Do' Attitude Helps Determine how much Weight Women will Lose After Pregnancy

How a woman feelings following childbirth can help determine how much excess weight-if any-that she'll hold onto, according to researchers at Michigan State University in Lansing, Mich.

James Pivarnik, a professor of kinesiology and epidemiology at MSU who co-led the study examined 56 women during pregnancy and measured their physical activity levels, combined with certain barriers that may prevent exercise.

Following a six year study period, researchers followed up with more than half of the participants and discovered that women who considered themselves less able to take on certain barriers retained more weight following their pregnancy. Childcare issues were one of the top barriers that prevented regular exercise.

 "The women who had difficulty believing they could overcome barriers that often occur in daily life or just thought they weren't cut out for physical activity overall retained 11 to 13 more pounds of pregnancy weight later on," Pivarnik said, via a press release.

However, those with higher levels of self-confidence were more likely to exercise during pregnancy and keep up with a regular fitness routine afterwards.

 "We know that it's beneficial for a woman to be active in some way during and after pregnancy so she can regain her fitness and help with weight loss," Pivarnik said. "But what can affect this is whether women think they can or can't do it."

More information regarding the findings can be seen via the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine and was funded by the National Institutes of Health.