Postpartum weight retention – the weight that remains after pregnancy – is common and can impact long-term health. Many researchers have wondered whether neighbourhood design, including how easy it is to walk places, might play a role in postpartum health outcomes. Previous research has shown that people living in more walkable neighbourhoods often have lower body mass index (BMI) and may be more physically active.

Members of the P3 Cohort team explored whether living in a more walkable neighbourhood was associated with postpartum weight retention at 6 and 12 months after pregnancy. The study used information from over 1000 P3 Cohort participants and measured neighbourhood walkability using Walk Score, a tool that estimates how easy it is to complete daily activities on foot.

The study found that postpartum weight retention was very common:

• About 72% of participants retained some pregnancy weight at 6 months postpartum
• About 70% retained some pregnancy weight at 12 months postpartum
• Participants living in more walkable neighbourhoods tended to have lower BMI before pregnancy
• However, neighbourhood walkability was not associated with postpartum weight retention at either 6 or 12 months postpartum

These findings suggest that postpartum weight retention is influenced by many different factors. While living in a walkable neighbourhood may be related to overall health and pre-pregnancy BMI, postpartum weight changes may depend more on individual behaviours, lifestyle factors, and other environmental influences.

Postpartum health is complex, and understanding the many factors that influence recovery after pregnancy can help researchers develop better supports for families.

To read the paper, click here.

Salah H, Stephenson N, Skiffington J, Leijser LM, Slater D, Metcalfe A. The association between neighborhood walkability and postpartum weight retention: A prospective cohort study. Public Health. 2026;254:106228.