Trajectories of perinatal depressive symptoms in women with overweight and obesity

Few studies have examined trajectories of perinatal depressive symptoms among women with overweight and obesity. We aimed to identify the longitudinal trajectories of perinatal depressive symptoms among women with overweight and obesity and the predictors of these trajectories. Data were obtained from the Health in Pregnancy and Postpartum study (n = 217). Depressive symptoms were measured twice during pregnancy (baseline, 32 weeks gestation) and twice after delivery (6 and 12 months postpartum) by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Group-based trajectory model was used to identify depressive symptoms trajectories. Multinomial logistic regression model was used to identify baseline predictors. Three trajectories of depressive symptoms were identified: mild-stable (67%), moderate-stable (27%), and high-stable (6%). The participants in the mild-stable group experienced a low level of perinatal depressive symptoms. The EPDS score of the participants in the moderate-stable group approached but remained below the cut-off point for ‘probable depression’ (EPDS <13) throughout the perinatal period. Whereas the EPDS score of the high-stable group’s participants consistently remained close to, but above, the probable depression cut-off point. Elevated perceived stress at early pregnancy was positively associated with membership in both the moderate- and high-stable groups. Our findings of the persistent, moderate and high level of depressive symptoms underscore the need for early detection and treatment of perinatal depression. Furthermore, prevention strategies and treatment modalities tailored to women with subclinical symptomatology are required to prevent their progression to clinical depression.