Besides the growth and development of the newborn, for the mother postpartum is a time period associated with unique and substantial physical and psychological changes. Including but not limited to excess body weight, remarkable changes in body shape (Haas, et al., 2005), lowered self-esteem (REF), loss of interest (REF), feelings of fatigue (REF), insomnia (Meades & Ayers, 2010), mood swings, and in some cases social isolation (REF), anxiety as well as depression (REF). The incidence of these changes , and if persist, may exacerbate unhealthy lifestyle patterns (Peterson et al., 2002) by causing progressive reductions in physical activity (PA) levels (Evenson et al., 2004; Doran & Davis, 2011), initiating prolonged sedentary behaviours and
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Alternatively, postpartum excess weight is suggested to be a significant forecaster of depressive symptoms (LaCoursiere et al., 2006; Jenkin & Tiggermann 1997), as deteriorating body image causes psychological distress, depression (Clark et al., 2009) and consequently less tendency to be physically active (REF). In their review, Daley et al., (2007) on the effect of exercise on postnatal mood disorder, highlighted that alteration in body composition after birth may be negatively associated with women’s psychological well-being (LaCoursiere et al., 2006). And many women of childbearing years indeed have excess weight, increased risk of depressive symptoms and, as a result, are less physically active (Sampselle et al., 1999; Pereira et al., 2007). Despite the existing association between these structural and lifestyle changes during this time period (Artal & O’Tool, 2003; Doran & Davis, 2011) and their impact on reducing PA levels; evidence has suggested that regular PA, if encouraged and implemented appropriately, indeed may inverse the co-occurrence of postpartum depressive symptoms (Norman et al., 2010) and excess weight (REF) by improving weight loss and psychological well-being
Alternatively, postpartum excess weight is suggested to be a significant forecaster of depressive symptoms (LaCoursiere et al., 2006; Jenkin & Tiggermann 1997), as deteriorating body image causes psychological distress, depression (Clark et al., 2009) and consequently less tendency to be physically active (REF). In their review, Daley et al., (2007) on the effect of exercise on postnatal mood disorder, highlighted that alteration in body composition after birth may be negatively associated with women’s psychological well-being (LaCoursiere et al., 2006). And many women of childbearing years indeed have excess weight, increased risk of depressive symptoms and, as a result, are less physically active (Sampselle et al., 1999; Pereira et al., 2007). Despite the existing association between these structural and lifestyle changes during this time period (Artal & O’Tool, 2003; Doran & Davis, 2011) and their impact on reducing PA levels; evidence has suggested that regular PA, if encouraged and implemented appropriately, indeed may inverse the co-occurrence of postpartum depressive symptoms (Norman et al., 2010) and excess weight (REF) by improving weight loss and psychological well-being