Perinatal factors relating to changes in maternal body fat in late gestation

To examine changes in skinfolds in late gestation in healthy women.

Skinfold measures were performed in 39 women at 30.8 (mean) and 37.7 weeks gestation. Fat mass (kg) and sum of three skinfolds were calculated.

A decrease in skinfold thickness was observed in 21 women (-3.1±2.1 mm) in late gestation, whereas 18 women had an increase (4.3±3.2 mm), P<0.001. The group of women who lost body fat (decrease in skinfold thickness) had a trend toward greater pregravid body mass index (BMI, 25 vs 22 kg/m(2), P=0.06), and gained less weight in late gestation (3.0 vs 4.3 kg, P=0.042). On multiple regression, maternal age and gestational weight gain were positively correlated with fat mass accrual, whereas pregravid BMI and dietary fiber were negative determinants of late gestational fat mass.

Increases in maternal fat mass in late gestation were related to maternal age and gestational weight gain, whereas decreases were related to increased pregravid BMI and dietary fiber.