Prevalence of Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Postpartum WIC Participants Screened for a Lifestyle Intervention Trial

Introduction and Objective: Women with history of gestational diabetes mellitus or obesity are at increased risk for type 2 diabetes postpartum. Limited data describe the burden of cardiometabolic risk factors among postpartum mothers at Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) clinics, a population affected by metabolic health disparities. This analysis examined the prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors among postpartum participants screened for the STRIVE clinical trial. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of 612 postpartum women was conducted using STRIVE screening data collected at 38 WIC clinics. Sociodemographic characteristics, BMI categories, blood pressure levels, and HbA1c values were summarized. Hypertension was defined according to American Heart Association current guidelines. Logistic regression models assessed associations between cardiometabolic factors and prediabetes (HbA1c 5.7-6.4%), adjusting for age and race. Results: Postpartum participants had a mean age of 29.8±5.7 years, and with 92.4% meeting the criterion for obesity. Hypertension was present in 35.2% of women, and 24.6% met criteria for prediabetes. Higher BMI was significantly associated with prediabetes (adjusted OR=1.04, 95% CI: 1.02-1.07 per 1 kg/m2 increase in BMI). Blood pressure categories, including prehypertension, stage 1, and stage 2 hypertension, were not significant predictors of prediabetes after adjustment (all p>0.10). Mean arterial pressure showed no association with prediabetes in adjusted models (aOR=1.01, 95% CI: 0.98-1.04). Conclusion: Postpartum WIC participants screened for STRIVE demonstrated a high burden of obesity and considerable prevalence of hypertension and prediabetes. BMI emerged as the strongest predictor of prediabetes, underscoring the critical need for targeted postpartum screening and prevention efforts within WIC settings. Disclosure: C.F. Chukwunyere: None. K. Dorsey: None. K. Dorans: None. M. Anglemire: None. C. Bridgeforth: None. A. Bazzano: None. A. Sandman: None. M.M. Salles: None. M.E. Schultheis: None. Funding: National Institutes of Health (OT2HL158287)