Excessive postpartum weight retention puts women at risk for health problems. This study aimed to investigate the effects of dairy foods on weight retention and risk of obesity in postpartum women in the Nurses’ Health Study II. Weight was reported every 2 years. We identified the pre-pregnancy and postpartum exams that were approximately 2 years before and after the birth year. Dairy consumption was averaged during these 4 years. Linear models were used to assess postpartum weight retention. Multivariable models were used to estimate risk of obesity. Women with higher yogurt (≥2 servings/week vs. <1 serving/month) intakes had 0.61 pounds less postpartum weight retention. Consuming ≥ 5 cheese servings/week was associated with 0.63 pounds less weight retention than the lowest intake. Among sedentary women, only yogurt intake was associated with lower risk of postpartum obesity (RR: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.71−1.00), though of borderline statistical significance. Among women with less healthy diets, yogurt consumption was also associated with lower postpartum obesity risk (RR: 0.70; 95% CI: 0.57−0.85). In sum, higher yogurt and cheese intakes were associated with less postpartum weight retention and among higher risk women (sedentary or lower diet quality) greater yogurt intake was associated with lower risks of postpartum obesity.
Keywords: cheese; dairy foods; healthy eating; postpartum obesity; postpartum weight retention; pregnancy; yogurt.