Gestational weight gain among Hispanic women

Area of Science:

• Maternal Health
• Public Health
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Gestational weight gain (GWG) is crucial for maternal and infant health.
• Hispanic women face unique sociocultural factors that may influence GWG.
• Understanding GWG patterns and associated risks in this population is vital for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize GWG among Hispanic women.
• To identify psychological, social, and cultural factors associated with GWG.
• To determine risk factors for excessive or insufficient GWG in this demographic.

Main Methods:

• A post-partum survey of 282 Hispanic women assessed pre-pregnancy weight and GWG.
• Gestational weight gain adequacy was determined using 2009 Institute of Medicine guidelines.
• Logistic regression analysis identified independent risk factors for abnormal GWG.

Main Results:

• Only 24% of women achieved adequate GWG; 45% gained too much, 32% too little.
• Factors linked to excessive GWG included being unmarried, U.S. born, higher pre-pregnancy BMI, and negative views on weight gain.
• Low social support and late initiation of prenatal care were associated with insufficient GWG.
• Continued exercise during pregnancy was associated with lower GWG.

Conclusions:

• Hispanic women exhibit suboptimal GWG patterns, necessitating focused public health initiatives.
• Identifying at-risk individuals through factors like marital status, birthplace, and social support can inform prenatal care strategies.
• Prenatal programs can leverage these findings to provide tailored guidance for healthy GWG in Hispanic women.