Postpartum Weight Retention Linked to Cardiovascular Risk in Women

In a study, 330 women underwent serial cardiometabolic assessments over 5 years postpartum. Stratified by postpartum weight change, groups included weight loss, weight gain of 0–6%, and weight gain ≥ 6%. At 1-year postpartum, cardiovascular risk factors did not differ among groups. However, at 3 and 5 years, adverse risk profiles emerged in weight retention groups, with significant differences in triglycerides, HDL, LDL, insulin sensitivity, fasting glucose, and CRP. Weight gain ≥ 6% independently predicted pre-diabetes/diabetes at 5 years. These findings underscore the impact of postpartum weight retention on worsening cardiovascular risk factors and glucose intolerance over 5 years, implicating its role in future vascular disease in women.