# Examining associations between social network characteristics, obesity-related health behaviors, and weight retention among racially/ethnically diverse postpartum women

> **NIH NIH F31** · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · 2022 · $39,279

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
 Postpartum weight retention (PPWR), or the failure to return to pre-pregnancy weight by 1-year postpartum
(PP), impacts approximately 75% of women. PPWR can lead to serious morbidity including insulin resistance,
hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes. These risks are magnified among the 25% of women
who enter pregnancy overweight or obese. Moreover, racial/ethnic disparities exist related to PPWR, with women
of color being more likely to begin pregnancy overweight or obese and more likely to experience PPWR. The PP
year is characterized by unique challenges and changing social networks, impacting women’s ability to prioritize
healthy diet and activity. These social network dynamics may be compounded for mothers of color for whom
network influence and norms can be particularly salient. Understanding these dynamics is essential for the
development of culturally-relevant PPWR interventions. This proposal, if funded, will explore the
associations between postpartum social networks and diet, activity, and PPWR by 1) Quantitatively
investigating how diet, activity, and PPWR at 1-year PP are associated with structural and functional
features of social networks among a sample of racially/ethnically diverse women, 2) Qualitatively
exploring mothers’ perceptions about the influence of their social networks on weight-related health
behaviors and PPWR and 3) Triangulating qualitative and quantitative data using an explanatory
sequential mixed methods design. A cross-sectional, mixed-methods approach will leverage quantitative
survey and social-network data to create network visualizations that will be used to facilitate semi-structured
interviews with mothers. Targeted follow-up of qualitative data will be triangulated with quantitative data to
provide a rich understanding of how postpartum social networks are associated with diet, activity and PPWR.
 Training Plan: The aims of the proposed training during the award period are: 1) Develop methodological
and analytical skills in the ethical conduct of mixed methods and social network analysis; 2) Advance knowledge
and understanding of women from racially/ethnically diverse backgrounds, and about the social influence
literature; 3) Develop and implement a secure and efficient database, online survey, and social-network interview
protocol; and 4) Acquire experience in professional development preparatory to a post-doctoral position which
will lead to an R1 tenure-track faculty position and contribute to growth as an independent scientist.
 Environment: The College of Nursing at the University of Utah has a strong PhD program, well known for
their NIH funding and women’s health and caregiving research. Further, the University provides numerous
opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration for training, professional development, and research, including
the Obstetrics and Gynecology Research Network.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10464179
- **Project number:** 1F31NR020431-01
- **Recipient organization:** UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- **Principal Investigator:** Jacqueline Marie Kent-Marvick
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $39,279
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-07-01 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10464179

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10464179, Examining associations between social network characteristics, obesity-related health behaviors, and weight retention among racially/ethnically diverse postpartum women (1F31NR020431-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10464179. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*