Effect of Diet, Exercise and Sleep (DES) Model in Six Months Postpartum Weight Retention and Body Composition in Thai Mothers: A Quasi-Experimental Study

ms: The amount of fatty tissue in women increases during pregnancy, leading to postpartum weight retention after delivery. Thus, pregnancy has been identified as a stimulus leading to the development of overweight and obesity. This study investigates the effect of the diet, exercise and sleep (DES) model on weight retention and body composition among Thai mothers six months to one year post-delivery. Methods: A total of 64 participants were allocated to the intervention and control groups. The intervention group received health education and a Pilates exercise programme in the first month, which they practiced in months 2–6. During this time, the researchers visited their homes each month, counselling the women based on the transtheoretical model. This research had two primary outcome measures, including after-delivery weight retention and body composition, and three secondary outcome measures, including knowledge, attitudes and practices related to diet, exercise and sleep. The measures were collected at baseline and every month using a questionnaire and body composition analysis. Data were analysed using a t-test and repeated measures ANOVA. All levels of significance were set as p < 0.05. Result: A comparison of postpartum weight retention six months and one year after delivery in the intervention group showed that the mothers’ weight decreased significantly. Body fat and visceral fat levels significantly decreased after participating in the programme for six months. In addition, postpartum weight retention and body composition in the intervention group were significantly better than in the control group one year after delivery. Conclusions: Postpartum weight retention is associated with long-term maternal morbidity. The intervention significantly reduced postpartum weight retention and improved body composition. Therefore, this model may be used in planning the development of maternal health behaviours in the postpartum period.