Peer-reviewed article

187 Exploring the role of maternal exposure to violence in post-partum weight retention among WIC program participants in Puerto Rico

Mancebo L, Valle Moro Y, Colon M, Rivera M · 27 Apr 2023

Abstract

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Evaluate if exposure to violence is associated with post-partum weight retention among WIC participants, which can lead to overweight/obesity due to metabolic adaptations associated to new adapted weight. If confirmed, it would highlight the need for revision of screening for violence exposure as social determinant of health among participants. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Nested cohort study among women enrolled in the Baby Act Trial (BAT) who have been enrolled to the active study phase and completed the Accountable Health Communities Health Related Social Needs survey from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid services as the source of evidence of exposure to violence. BAT recruitment engaged women in their third trimester who were active participants of the Puerto Rico Women, Infants and Children Program (PRWIC), and planned to enroll their infant in the program. Anthropometric measures were documented at the following time points: prior to pregnancy, at delivery, and 12 months post-partum. Of the 530 women recruited to the study, 291 have completed study measures for inclusion into this exploratory analysis from this ongoing trial. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: A Total of 301 participants have met the criteria for inclusion in this preliminary analysis. Mean age among mothers was 26.5 years (SD 5.3), 46.6% had High School level education attainment or less, and 43.3% were actively working at the time of recruitment. Twelve percent of participants had BMI above 35 at 6 months post-partum, while the prevalence of violence exposure was reported as follows for each type of encounter: 3.3% responded yes to physical violence by friends of family, 9.7% reported exposure to insults or inappropriate treatment by any person including family or friends, 2% having been threatened by anyone including family or friends, 6.3% reported having been yelled/cursed at or insulted by anyone including family or friends. Even more concerning is that 7.5% reported severe social vulnerability. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Results reveals importance of providing integrated care in social assistance program. Participants belongs to vulnerable population with social determinants of health that affect the health care they receive. It shows that providing nutritional assistance it’s not enough to being healthy because other components also play a role in overall health.