Modifiable predictors associated with having a gestational weight gain goal.

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Maternal Health
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Gestational weight gain (GWG) significantly impacts maternal and infant health outcomes.
• Institute of Medicine (IOM) guidelines provide recommendations for appropriate GWG.
• Understanding factors influencing GWG goals is crucial for promoting healthy pregnancies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify predictors of having a gestational weight gain goal.
• To examine factors associated with goals concordant or discordant with 1990 IOM guidelines.
• To explore the relationship between GWG goals and adherence to IOM recommendations.

Main Methods:

• A survey of 292 pregnant women attending obstetric visits in 2008.
• Binary and multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to identify predictors.
• The study examined predictors of having no goal, a concordant goal, or a discordant goal with IOM guidelines.

Main Results:

• 40% of women had no GWG goal, 39% had a concordant goal, and 21% had a discordant goal.
• Predictors of a guideline-concordant goal included lower sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and higher physical activity.
• Women who believed their doctors recommended IOM-consistent weight gains were more likely to have a concordant goal.

Conclusions:

• Engaging in healthy behaviors is associated with setting appropriate GWG goals.
• Healthcare provider recommendations for GWG are critical in influencing women's goals.
• Promoting healthy behaviors and IOM-aligned recommendations can improve GWG goal setting.