Black women are twice as likely to retain or gain additional weight after giving birth compared to White females, first-of-its-kind research has suggested.
Academics from the University of Pittsburgh have found that Black women are more at risk of postpartum weight retention due to the stress of lived experiences with racism, as well as gender-based discrimination.
Prior research has revealed that postpartum weight retention can put you at higher risk of developing cardiovascular complications.
- Race and social vulnerability are risk factors for worse glycaemic control
- Positive mindset amongst ethnic minority women associated with living longer
- Scientists uncover breakthrough in weight loss treatment
Health experts are now calling for interventions to help individuals address underlying stressors of discrimination.
Senior author Professor Dara Méndez said: “Beyond individual choices and behaviour, we have to account for an individual’s environment, because that can have an impact on health, too.
“Context matters and lived experiences matter. How can we link people to appropriate services and support in the postpartum period, in light of exposure to stress and experiences of discrimination?”
A total of 313 pregnant women took part in the trial and were followed from their second trimester until they were one year postpartum.
Each participant weighed themselves each week and filled in short daily questionnaires on their phone.
Questions were based on their daily experiences, such as how often they felt stressed or discriminated against.
The results have shown that discrimination was present in some everyday activities, such as searching for or retaining employment, interacting with teachers or academic advisors and applying for loans.
Additionally, discrimination was seen when interacting with the police, with some individuals being unfairly stopped, searched, questioned, threatened or abused.
According to the findings, Black women retained 0.3 more pounds for every 10% rise in the number of days they were racially discriminated against in the previous month.
Read more in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
