Development and validation of the eating stimulus index in low-income, minority women in early postpartum.

Dietary modification to achieve weight loss during the postpartum period may be critical for prevention of obesity, particularly in low-income, minority women. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to develop and validate a measure to examine motivations to eat in low-income, minority women during early postpartum. A convenience sample of 179 triethnic women was recruited from the Special Supplemental Program for Women, Infants, and Children clinics from June 2004 to April 2007.

A nutrition and physical activity intervention promotes weight loss and enhances diet attitudes in low-income mothers of young children.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a nutrition and physical activity program for reducing body weight and improving nutrition attitudes in mothers of young children. A convenience sample of 114 intervention mothers and 33 comparison mothers was recruited from public health clinics and community centers. Eligibility criteria included Hispanic, African American, or white ethnicity; body mass index of at least 25 kg/m(2); low income (< 200% of the federal poverty index); and youngest child aged 1 to 4 years.

Greater nutrition knowledge is associated with lower 1-year postpartum weight retention in low-income women.

The purpose of this study was to assess nutrition knowledge during early and late postpartum in a sample of low-income and minority women, and to determine if that knowledge had any relationship to weight retention at 1-year postpartum. A questionnaire was developed and validated in a sample of 151 low-income new mothers. This instrument was then administered to a separate sample of mothers (n=140) of similar demographics to assess nutrition knowledge at 0 to 1 days and 12 months postpartum.

Low-income, overweight and obese mothers as agents of change to improve food choices, fat habits, and physical activity in their 1-to-3-year-old children.

Objective: To examine the effects of a weight loss program for mothers on the diet and activity of mothers and their 1-3 year old children.

Design: Overweight and obese mothers participated in an 8-week weight loss intervention encompassing diet, physical activity, and behavioral modification. Anthropometrics, demographic, dietary, and physical activity questionnaires were administered at weeks 0 and 8; anthropometrics were re-evaluated at week 24.

Predictors of weight loss in low-income mothers of young children.

Objective: To identify predictors of weight loss in a tri-ethnic population of low-income mothers.

Design: An 8-week dietary and physical activity program was tested. Demographic data were collected at baseline; anthropometric, dietary, physical activity, and psychosocial data were measured at baseline and week 8.

Promotion of physical activity in low-income mothers using pedometers.

Objective: This study tested the effectiveness of a pedometer program for increasing physical activity levels and reducing body weight in overweight and obese mothers of young children.

Design: Participants' motivational readiness to exercise, exercise self-efficacy, pedometer steps, pedometer kilocalories, and anthropometrics were evaluated at week 0 and week 8; anthropometrics were reassessed at week 24. Healthful-weight mothers provided comparison data at baseline.

Influence of nutrition attitudes and motivators for eating on postpartum weight status in low-income new mothers.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify attitudes about nutrition and their influence on weight status in low-income mothers in the first year postpartum.

Design: Nutrition attitudes were assessed at 1.5, 6, and 12 months postpartum.

Nutrition knowledge is associated with greater weight loss in obese and overweight low-income mothers.

Objective: To examine if greater nutrition knowledge vs gains in knowledge promote more successful weight loss in low-income, overweight and obese mothers with young children.

Design: A convenience sample of mothers and their children were measured for height and weight; mothers completed demographic and nutrition knowledge questionnaires pre- and post-intervention.

Subjects/setting: Participants (N=141) were recruited from government and public health clinics and elementary schools.