Plasma omega-3 fatty acids in pregnancy are inversely associated with postpartum weight retention in a multi-ethnic Asian cohort

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Background: Studies have demonstrated associations between
polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and adiposity. It is unclear
whether PUFAs in pregnancy have an effect on maternal weight
retention after childbirth, which can contribute to long-term obesity.
Objective: We examined the association of maternal plasma PUFAs
in pregnancy with 18-mo postpartum weight retention (PPWR) in a
multiethnic Asian cohort.
Design: We studied pregnant women (n = 653) recruited between
June 2009 and September 2010 from a prospective cohort. At 26–28 wk
of gestation, plasma phosphatidylcholine PUFA concentrations
were measured and determined as percentages of total fatty acids
(FAs). PPWR was calculated based on the difference between
measured weight at the first antenatal clinic visit and at 18 mo
postpartum.
Results: The median retained weight of women was 0.90 kg (IQR:
21.40, 3.25) at 18 mo postpartum. Of 653 women, 544 women
(83.3%) had PPWR of ,5 kg and 109 (16.7%) had PPWR of
$5 kg. In adjusted linear regression models, higher plasma eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and total v-3
(n–3) PUFA concentrations were associated with lower PPWR
[EPA: b = 20.62 kg/1% increase of total FAs (95% CI: 21.18,
20.05); DHA: b = 20.24 kg/1% increase (95% CI: 20.45, 20.02);
total v-3 PUFAs: b = 20.20 kg/1% increase (95% CI: 20.36,
20.03)], whereas a higher ratio of plasma v-6-to-v-3 PUFAs was
associated with a higher PPWR [b = 0.21 kg/unit increase (95% CI:
0.05, 0.36)].
Conclusions: Higher plasma percentages of v-3 PUFAs and a
lower ratio of v-6-to-v-3 PUFAs in the late-second trimester
of pregnancy are associated with less weight retention at
18 mo postpartum. This may offer an alternative strategy to
assist postpartum weight reduction by increasing EPA and
DHA status together with a decreased ratio of v-6-to-v-3 PUFA
through diet or fish-oil supplementation during pregnancy. This
study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01174875.

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Identifiers

ORCID for Keith Godfrey: orcid.org/0000-0002-4643-0618

ORCID for Philip Calder: orcid.org/0000-0002-6038-710X

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