Elisabeth Adolfsen Øhman

• Fossli, Maria; Øhman, Elisabeth Adolfsen; Andal, Malin; Løland, Beate Fossum; Holven, Kirsten Bjørklund & Brekke, Hilde Kristin (2025). Nutrient Intake Among Lactating Women With Overweight and Obesity in Norway: A Comparison With the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023. Journal of human nutrition and dietetics. ISSN 0952-3871. 38(1). doi: 10.1111/jhn.70000. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background During lactation, maternal requirements for many nutrients increase due to the physiological demands of breast milk production, reflected in dietary recommendations. BMI is negatively associated with dietary quality postpartum, and 40% of women in Norway have pre-pregnancy overweight and obesity. Currently, there is limited data on dietary intake among lactating women in Norway and whether they meet nutritional requirements. We aimed to evaluate the nutrient intake in a study sample of lactating women with overweight and obesity, compared with the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations (NNR 2023). Methods In this cross-sectional analysis, we included baseline data from 112 lactating women with a pre-pregnancy BMI of 25–35 kg/m2, participating in a weight loss and breastfeeding promotion intervention trial in Oslo, Norway. Data were collected at 2 weeks postpartum (subject characteristics, anthropometry and dietary supplement use), at 7 weeks postpartum (dietary assessment) and post-weaning (retrospective dietary supplement use). Dietary data were obtained from a 4-day dietary record before randomisation to dietary treatment for weight loss. Nutrient intake was compared to the dietary reference values for lactating women in NNR 2023. Increased risk of inadequate intake of micronutrients was assessed as the proportion of women with intakes below the average requirement (AR), with and without dietary supplements. Results Mean ± SD BMI at 2 weeks postpartum was 30.7 ± 2.5 kg/m2. At 7 weeks postpartum the women reported a mean energy intake of 9.2 ± 2.0 MJ/day, with a higher intake of saturated fat and a lower intake of carbohydrate, dietary fibre and docosahexaenoic acid than recommended. The majority had an increased risk of inadequate intake of vitamin A (92%), folate (92%), vitamin D (84%), selenium (87%) and iodine (71%) from the diet alone. When dietary supplements were taken into account, ≥ 50% of the women still had an increased risk of inadequate intake of vitamin A, folate and selenium. Conclusions The high proportion of lactating women with overweight and obesity failing to meet the newly updated Nordic Nutrition Recommendations highlights the need to raise awareness among new mothers and healthcare professionals about the increased maternal nutritional demands during lactation and hence, the importance of nutrient-dense diets.

• Westerheim, Elin; Øhman, Elisabeth Adolfsen; Fossli, Maria; Winkvist, Anna; Henriksen, Hege & Brekke, Hilde Kristin (2025). Relative validity of bioelectrical impedance analysis in estimating body composition in women with overweight and obesity 2 weeks and 6 months postpartum. Food & Nutrition Research (FNR). ISSN 1654-6628. 69. doi: 10.29219/fnr.v69.10869. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Objective: To investigate the relative validity of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) in estimating fat mass (FM) and fat free mass (FFM) with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) as reference method in women with overweight and obesity 2 weeks and 6 months postpartum (pp). Methods: Body composition of 94 women with overweight and obesity was assessed using Seca mBCA 515 and GE Healthcare Lunar iDXA. Agreement between the two methods for FM and FFM at 2 weeks and 6 months pp, as well as the changes in FM and FFM between the two timepoints, were tested using paired t-test, Bland–Altman plots and regression analyses. Results: The mean (standard deviation [SD]) body mass index (BMI) at 2 weeks pp was 30.6 (2.6) kg/m2 and mean (SD) weight loss at 6 months pp was 4.7 (4.8) kg. BIA underestimated FM at both 2 weeks pp and 6 months pp by mean (SD) 0.7 (1.4) kg and 0.3 (1.3) kg and overestimated FFM at both timepoints by 1.2 (1.5) kg and 0.7 (1.4) kg, with proportional bias for FFM. BIA underestimated changes in FM by mean (SD) 0.5 (1.1) kg and overestimated changes in FFM by 0.5 (1.0) kg, with proportional bias for change in extracellular water by total body water. Agreement was generally high for both cross-sectional and longitudinal comparisons. Conclusions: At group level, BIA was a valid tool for assessment of FM and FFM in women with overweight and obesity at 2 weeks and 6 months pp when compared to DXA. We also consider it valid for following changes in FM and FFM over time when fluid distribution is stable

• Øhman, Elisabeth Adolfsen; Fossli, Maria; Rasmussen, Kathleen M.; Winkvist, Anna; Løland, Beate Fossum & Holven, Kirsten Bjørklund [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2024). Effects of Breastfeeding Promotion Intervention and Dietary Treatment in Postpartum Women with Overweight and Obesity: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial on Weight and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors. Journal of Nutrition. ISSN 0022-3166. 154(8), p. 2448–2458. doi: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2024.06.006. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background Childbearing increases the risk of weight gain and cardiometabolic disease. The reset hypothesis suggests that lactation has protective cardiometabolic effects on the mother. The hypothesis is based on observational studies, and the possible interacting role of weight loss needs to be elucidated. Objectives This study aimed to examine the individual and interaction effects of a breastfeeding promotion intervention (BPI) and dietary intervention for weight loss postpartum (Diet) on body weight and cardiometabolic risk factors at 6 mo postpartum. Methods Pregnant women (n = 156) with a prepregnancy BMI of 25 to 35 kg/m2 were randomized to 4 groups in a 2 × 2 factorial design: BPI, Diet, both treatments, or no treatment. BPI consisted of individual counseling by a lactation consultant during pregnancy, at childbirth, and monthly thereafter or more frequently based on individual needs. Diet was initiated at 11 wk postpartum. Body weight, body composition, waist and hip circumferences, markers of lipid and glucose metabolism, and blood pressure were measured at 2 wk and 6 mo postpartum. We analyzed main and interaction effects using 2-way analysis of covariance adjusted for baseline values. Results Among the participants attending both visits (n = 108), 99% practiced any breastfeeding at baseline and 97% at follow-up. The BPI did not affect rates of exclusive or partial breastfeeding, age at introduction of complementary foods, or have main effects on body weight or cardiometabolic risk factors. There was a main effect of Diet reducing body weight, fat mass, fat-free mass, percentage fat mass, waist and hip circumferences, fasting glucose, and insulin (all P ≤ 0.03), with no interactions between the treatments. Conclusions There were no effects of BPI on body weight or cardiometabolic risk factors at 6 mo postpartum. Diet caused weight loss and had favorable effects on risk factors for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

• Øhman, Elisabeth Adolfsen; Fossli, Maria; Ottestad, Inger; Holven, Kirsten Bjørklund; Ulven, Stine Marie & Løland, Beate Fossum [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2023). Dietary treatment postpartum in women with obesity reduces weight and prevents weight gain: a randomised controlled trial. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 23. doi: 10.1186/s12884-023-05976-w. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background Women with pre-pregnancy obesity have an increased risk of retaining or gaining weight postpartum and may benefit from weight loss treatment. However, evidence is lacking for weight loss strategies in women with BMIs in the higher obesity classes. A dietary treatment for postpartum weight loss resulted in a 10% weight reduction in lactating women with a mean BMI of 30 kg/m2. We aimed to examine the effects of this dietary treatment on changes in weight, markers of lipid and glucose metabolism, waist and hip circumference and postpartum weight retention (PPWR) in postpartum women with higher BMIs than tested previously. Methods At baseline, approximately 8 weeks postpartum, 29 women with a mean (SD) BMI = 40.0 (5.2) kg/m2 were randomised to a 12-week dietary treatment (n 14) or to a control treatment (n 15). Measurements were made at baseline and after 3 and 12 months. Data was analysed using mixed model. Results The mean weight change in the diet group was -2.3 (3.1) kg compared to 1.7 (3.1) kg in the control group after 3 months (P = 0.003) and -4.2 (5.6) kg compared to 4.8 (11.8) kg in the control group after 12 months (P = 0.02). The dietary treatment led to reduced waist circumference (P < 0.04) and PPWR (P < 0.01) compared to the control treatment at both time points. The treatment lowered fasting blood glucose at 12 months (P = 0.007) as the only effect on markers of lipid and glucose metabolism. Conclusion The dietary treatment postpartum reduced weight and prevented weight retention or weight gain in women with obesity. Trial registration The trial was retrospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03579667) 06/07/2018. Graphical Abstract In a randomised, controlled trial, 29 postpartum women with obesity were allocated to a dietary treatment or a control treatment. The dietary treatment reduced weight and prevented postpartum weight retention or weight gain after 12 months. Reference: Adapted from “Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel Study Design (2 Arms, Graphical)”, by BioRender.com (2022). Retrieved from https://app.biorender.com/biorender-templates .

• Øhman, Elisabeth Adolfsen; Kirchner, Lisa; Winkvist, Anna; Bertz, Fredrik; Holven, Kirsten Bjørklund & Ulven, Stine Marie [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2022). Effects of dietary and exercise treatments on HDL subclasses in lactating women with overweight and obesity: A secondary analysis of an RCT. British Journal of Nutrition. ISSN 0007-1145. 128, p. 2105–2114. doi: 10.1017/S0007114522000241. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Abstract Childbearing decreases HDL-cholesterol, potentially contributing to the increased risk of CVD in parous women. Large HDL particles (HDL-P) are associated with lower risk of CVD. In this secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial, we investigated the effects of 12-week dietary and exercise treatments on HDL-P subclass concentration, size and apoA1 in lactating women with overweight/obesity. At 10–14 weeks postpartum, 68 women with pre-pregnant BMI 25–35 kg/m 2 were randomised to four groups using 2 × 2 factorial design: (1) dietary treatment for weight loss; (2) exercise treatment; (3) both treatments and (4) no treatment. Lipoprotein subclass profiling by NMR spectroscopy was performed in serum at randomisation and after 3 and 12 months, and the results analysed with two-way ANCOVA. Lipid concentrations decline naturally postpartum. At 3 months (5–6 months postpartum), both diet ( P = 0·003) and exercise ( P = 0·008) reduced small HDL-P concentration. Concurrently, exercise limited the decline in very large HDL-P ( P = 0·002) and the effect was still significant at 12 months (15 months postpartum) ( P = 0·041). At 12 months, diet limited the decline in very large HDL-P ( P = 0·005), large HDL-P ( P = 0·001) and apoA1 ( P = 0·002) as well as HDL size ( P = 0·002). The dietary treatment for weight loss and the exercise treatment both showed effects on HDL-P subclasses in lactating women with overweight and obesity possibly associated with lower CVD risk. The dietary treatment had more effects than the exercise treatment at 12 months, likely associated with a 10 % weight loss.

• Iversen, Per Ole; Plessis, L Du; Marais, D; Morseth, Marianne; Høisæther, Elisabeth Adolfsen & Herselman, Marietjie (2011). Nutritional health of young children in South Africa over the first 16 years of democracy. South African Journal of Child Health. ISSN 1994-3032. 5, p. 72–77. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Objectives. Malnutrition among young children is a major health problem in post-apartheid South Africa. Despite implementation of numerous health and nutrition programmes, these extensive efforts to alleviate the situation have not been adequately reviewed. Methods. We provide an overview of various aspects of the current nutritional health status of young children. The reviewed data are from the time period 1994 - 2010, and were collected from literature databases and official reports, as well as our own experience with field research in various urban and rural parts of the country. Results. Both smaller province-based studies as well as three large nationwide surveys conclude that many young South African children have inadequate nutritional status. Rates of stunting, micronutrient deficiencies and hunger and food insecurity are all unacceptably high. Coexisting HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis add to this burden. A gradual transition to a westernised diet characterised by energy-dense food has led to a worrying increase in overweight and obesity. Conclusion. A major challenge for the South African health authorities is still the fight against childhood undernutrition and hunger, which in turn are rooted in poverty and social inequalities. The double burden of disease adds to the scale and complexity of this challenge.

• Iversen, Per Ole; Høisæther, Elisabeth Adolfsen; Morseth, Marianne & Herselman, Marietjie (2011). Diverging opinions of supplementation programmes between mothers of small children and staff at primary health clinics in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Public Health Nutrition (PHN). ISSN 1368-9800. 14(5), p. 923–930. doi: 10.1017/S1368980010003319. Full text in Research Archive

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• Øhman, Elisabeth Adolfsen; Fossli, Maria; Rasmussen, Kathleen M; Winkvist, Anna; Løland, Beate Fossum & Holven, Kirsten Bjørklund [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2025). Post-weaning results from a Randomized Controlled Trial on Weight and Cardiometabolic Risk Factors - Effects of Breastfeeding Promotion Intervention and Dietary Treatment in Postpartum Women with Overweight and Obesity. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Foredrag på International Conference of Nutrition (ICN)

• Øhman, Elisabeth Adolfsen; Fossli, Maria & Brekke, Hilde Kristin (2025). The effect of lactation and weight change on risk factors for cardiovascular disease in postpartum women with overweight and obesity – The EVA study. Full text in Research Archive
• Øhman, Elisabeth Adolfsen; Fossli, Maria; Rasmussen, Kathleen M.; Winkvist, Anna; Løland, Beate Fossum & Holven, Kirsten Bjørklund [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2025). Effects of breastfeeding and diet interventions in postpartum women with overweight and obesity: Results from an RCT on weight and cardiometabolic risk factors. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Foredrag på Throne Holst seminar

• Fossli, Maria; Øhman, Elisabeth Adolfsen; Rasmussen, Kathleen M.; Winkvist, Anna; Løland, Beate Fossum & Holven, Kirsten Bjørklund [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2025). Effekter av ammeintervensjon og kostintervensjon hos postpartum kvinner med overvekt og fedme: Resultater fra en randomisert, kontrollert studie på vekt og kardiometabolske risikofaktorer. Full text in Research Archive
• Øhman, Elisabeth Adolfsen; Fossli, Maria; Rasmussen, Kathleen M.; Winkvist, Anna; Løland, Beate Fossum & Holven, Kirsten Bjørklund [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2024). Effekter av ammeintervensjon og kostintervensjon hos postpartum kvinner med overvekt og fedme: Resultater fra en randomisert, kontrollert studie på vekt og kardiometabolske risikofaktorer. Full text in Research Archive
• Øhman, Elisabeth Adolfsen; Fossli, Maria; Rasmussen, Kathleen M.; Winkvist, Anna; Løland, Beate Fossum & Holven, Kirsten Bjørklund [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2024). Effekter av ammeintervensjon og kostintervensjon hos postpartum kvinner med overvekt og fedme: Resultater fra en randomisert, kontrollert studie på vekt og kardiometabolske risikofaktorer. Full text in Research Archive
• Brekke, Hilde Kristin & Øhman, Elisabeth Adolfsen (2024). LEVA-metoden hjälper kvinner med obesitas gå ner i vikt efter förlossning. Dietistaktuellt. ISSN 1102-9285. p. 42–43. Full text in Research Archive
• Fossli, Maria; Øhman, Elisabeth Adolfsen; Andal, Malin; Løland, Beate Fossum; Holven, Kirsten Bjørklund & Brekke, Hilde Kristin (2024). Nutrient intake among lactating women with overweight and obesity. Full text in Research Archive
• Westerheim, Elin; Øhman, Elisabeth Adolfsen; Fossli, Maria; Winkvist, Anna; Henriksen, Hege Berg & Brekke, Hilde Kristin (2024). Relative validity of bioelectrical impedance analysis in estimating body composition in women with overweight and obesity 2 weeks and 6 months postpartum. Full text in Research Archive
• Øhman, Elisabeth Adolfsen; Fossli, Maria; Rasmussen, Kathleen M.; Winkvist, Anna; Løland, Beate Fossum & Holven, Kirsten Bjørklund [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2024). Effects of breastfeeding and diet interventions in postpartum women with overweight and obesity: Results from an RCT on weight and cardiometabolic risk factors. Norsk tidsskrift for ernæring (NTFE). ISSN 1503-5034. 22(5). Full text in Research Archive
• Fossli, Maria; Øhman, Elisabeth Adolfsen; Andal, Malin; Løland, Beate Fossum; Holven, Kirsten Bjørklund & Brekke, Hilde Kristin (2024). Nutrient intake among lactating women with overweight and obesity. Norsk tidsskrift for ernæring (NTFE). ISSN 1503-5034. 22(5). Full text in Research Archive
• Westerheim, Elin; Øhman, Elisabeth Adolfsen; Fossli, Maria; Winkvist, Anna; Henriksen, Hege Berg & Brekke, Hilde Kristin (2024). Relative validity of bioelectrical impedance analysis in estimating body composition in women with overweight and obesity 2 weeks and 6 months postpartum. Norsk tidsskrift for ernæring (NTFE). ISSN 1503-5034. 22(5). Full text in Research Archive
• Øhman, Elisabeth Adolfsen; Fossli, Maria; Rasmussen, Kathleen M.; Winkvist, Anna; Løland, Beate Fossum & Holven, Kirsten Bjørklund [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2024). Effects of breastfeeding and diet interventions in postpartum women with overweight and obesity: Results from an RCT on weight and cardiometabolic risk factors. Full text in Research Archive
• Fossli, Maria; Øhman, Elisabeth Adolfsen; Andal, Malin; Løland, Beate Fossum; Holven, Kirsten Bjørklund & Brekke, Hilde Kristin (2024). Inntak av næringsstoffer blant ammende kvinner med overvekt og fedme. Full text in Research Archive
• Fossli, Maria; Øhman, Elisabeth Adolfsen; Andal, Malin; Løland, Beate Fossum; Holven, Kirsten Bjørklund & Brekke, Hilde Kristin (2024). Dietary intake among lactating women with overweight and obesity at seven weeks postpartum. Full text in Research Archive
• Fossli, Maria; Øhman, Elisabeth Adolfsen; Andal, Malin; Løland, Beate Fossum; Holven, Kirsten Bjørklund & Brekke, Hilde Kristin (2024). Nutrient Intake among lactating women with overweight and obesity. Full text in Research Archive
• Øhman, Elisabeth Adolfsen; Fossli, Maria; Ottestad, Inger Olaug; Holven, Kirsten Bjørklund; Ulven, Stine Marie & Løland, Beate Fossum [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2024). Dietary treatment postpartum in women with obesity reduces weight and prevents weight gain: a randomised controlled trial. Full text in Research Archive
• Øhman, Elisabeth Adolfsen; Fossli, Maria; Ottestad, Inger; Holven, Kirsten Bjørklund; Ulven, Stine Marie & Løland, Beate Fossum [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2023). Effect of a postpartum weight loss intervention in women with obesity: a randomized controlled trial. Full text in Research Archive
• Øhman, Elisabeth Adolfsen; Fossli, Maria; Ottestad, Inger; Holven, Kirsten Bjørklund; Ulven, Stine Marie & Løland, Beate Fossum [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2023). Kostprogram postpartum reduserer vekt og forebygger vektoppgang blant kvinner med fedme – en randomisert kontrollert studie. Full text in Research Archive
• Øhman, Elisabeth Adolfsen; Fossli, Maria; Ottestad, Inger; Holven, Kirsten Bjørklund; Ulven, Stine Marie & Løland, Beate Fossum [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2023). Effect of a postpartum weight loss intervention in women with obesity: a randomized controlled trial. Full text in Research Archive
• Øhman, Elisabeth Adolfsen; Fossli, Maria; Brekke, Hilde Kristin; Holven, Kirsten Bjørklund; Ulven, Stine Marie & Ottestad, Inger [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2022). Dietary treatment prevents postpartum weight gain in women with obesity: a randomised controlled trial. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Background: Women with pre-pregnancy obesity have an increased risk of retaining or gaining weight postpartum. Previously, we performed a dietary treatment which resulted in sustained weight loss and improved cardiometabolic risk factors in lactating women with a mean BMI=30 kg/m2. However, evidence is lacking for higher BMI classes. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of the dietary treatment on change in weight and markers of lipid- and glucose metabolism as well as postpartum weight retention (PPWR) and change in waist-and-hip-circumference in postpartum women with obesity. Methodology: At baseline, approximately 8 weeks postpartum, 29 women were randomised to a 12-week dietary treatment for weight loss (n=14) or to a control treatment (n=15) receiving a brochure on healthy eating. Measurements were made at baseline and 3 and 12 months later. Data was analysed using mixed model. Results: Mean BMI at baseline was 40.0 ± 5.2 kg/m2. Weight change after 3 months was -2.3 ± 3.1 kg in the diet group compared to 1.7 ± 3.1 kg in the control group (P=0.025), and -4.2 ± 5.6 kg in the diet group compared to 4.8 ± 11.8 kg in the control group after 12 months (P=0.010). The dietary treatment led to reduced waist circumference (P<0.032) and PPWR (P<0.002) compared to the control treatment at both time points. There were no effects of the treatment on markers of lipid- and glucose metabolism. Conclusion: The dietary treatment prevented postpartum women with obesity from retaining or gaining weight, and may even reduce weight.

• Øhman, Elisabeth Adolfsen; Kirchner, Lisa; Winkvist, Anna; Bertz, Fredrik; Holven, Kirsten Bjørklund & Ulven, Stine Marie [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2020). Effects of dietary and exercise treatments on HDL subclasses in lactating women with overweight and obesity: a secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial. Full text in Research Archive
• Øhman, Elisabeth Adolfsen; Kirchner, Lisa; Winkvist, Anna; Bertz, Fredrik; Holven, Kirsten Bjørklund & Ulven, Stine Marie [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2020). Effects of dietary and exercise treatments on HDL subclasses in lactating women with overweight and obesity: a secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial. Full text in Research Archive
• Øhman, Elisabeth Adolfsen; Kirchner, Lisa; Winkvist, Anna; Bertz, Fredrik; Holven, Kirsten Bjørklund & Ulven, Stine Marie [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2020). Effects of dietary and exercise treatments on HDL subclasses in lactating women with overweight and obesity: a secondary analysis of a randomised controlled trial. Full text in Research Archive
• Holth, Cathrine Bus; Høisæther, Elisabeth Adolfsen & Brekke, Hilde Kristin (2017). An evaluation of the suggested ESPEN malnutrition criteria in light of the criteria for malnutrition as presented in the Norwegian National guidelines. Full text in Research Archive
• Holth, Cathrine Bus; Høisæther, Elisabeth Adolfsen & Brekke, Hilde Kristin (2017). An evaluation of the suggested ESPEN malnutrition criteria in light of the criteria for malnutrition as presented in the Norwegian National guideline. Full text in Research Archive
• Høyer, Anne; Høisæther, Elisabeth Adolfsen & Brekke, Hilde Kristin (2017). Body composition in cancer patients Validity of bioelectrical impedance analysis in a clinical setting. Full text in Research Archive
• Høisæther, Elisabeth Adolfsen (2009). Tarmskylling -noen kommentarer. Norsk tidsskrift for ernæring (NTFE). ISSN 1503-5034. p. 10–13. Full text in Research Archive
• Øhman, Elisabeth Adolfsen; Brekke, Hilde Kristin & Holven, Kirsten Bjørklund (2024). Weight and cardiometabolic risk factors in postpartum women with overweight and obesity - Results from three randomised controlled trials. Universitetet i Oslo. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  After childbirth, both an increase in weight and a lower level of the "good" HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) may be mechanisms contributing to elevated maternal risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Weight loss in adults with overweight and obesity has been shown to increase HDL-C. Breastfeeding is associated to a more favourable risk profile for CVD and T2D, including a higher level of HDL-C, while it is more uncertain whether breastfeeding also contributes to weight loss. The aim of the thesis was to examine the effects of a dietary intervention, an exercise treatment, and a breastfeeding promotion intervention (BPI) in postpartum women with overweight and obesity. A Swedish randomised controlled trial (RCT), the LEVA study, showed that lactating women with overweight and obesity before pregnancy lost 9% of their weight and improved their HDL-C and fasting insulin levels through a 12-week dietary program from 3 to 6 months after childbirth. A secondary analysis of the LEVA study showed that the dietary program changed the distribution of HDL particle subclasses in a direction associated with lower risk of CVD. An exercise intervention, which showed no effect on weight, had a more limited effect on the HDL subclasses than the dietary program. In a second RCT, the dietary program was tested in women postpartum with a higher body mass index than in the LEVA study. The program had a positive effect also among these women by reducing weight or preventing weight gain. In a third RCT, the effects of a BPI and the dietary program were examined among postpartum women with overweight and obesity. At 6 months postpartum, almost all participants were breastfeeding. There were no effects of BPI, while the dietary program resulted in a reduction of weight and fasting glucose. In summary, the dietary program led to weight reduction and other favourable effects on risk factors for HKS and T2D, which may improve the mothers' future health.

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