Supervised exercise-based intervention to prevent excessive gestational weight gain: a randomized controlled trial.

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Sports Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Excessive gestational weight gain is a significant concern in pregnancy.
• Institute of Medicine (IOM) guidelines provide recommendations for healthy weight gain during pregnancy.
• ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01790347.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a supervised, light- to moderate-intensity exercise intervention on maternal weight gain starting from the ninth week of gestation.
• To determine if the exercise program helps pregnant women adhere to IOM weight gain recommendations.

Main Methods:

• 962 healthy pregnant women were randomized into standard care or exercise groups.
• The exercise group engaged in 50-55 minute sessions of aerobic and resistance training three times weekly.
• Gestational weight gain was assessed from early pregnancy to the final clinic visit, compared against 2009 IOM guidelines.

Main Results:

• Women in the exercise group gained significantly less weight (1.039 kg less) and were less likely to exceed IOM recommendations compared to the standard care group.
• Normal-weight women in the exercise group showed a greater reduction in weight gain (1.393 kg less) and adherence to IOM guidelines.
• No significant effect on weight gain was observed for overweight or obese women in the intervention group.

Conclusions:

• Supervised, light- to moderate-intensity exercise is an effective strategy for preventing excessive gestational weight gain.
• The benefits are most pronounced in normal-weight pregnant women.
• This intervention can be a valuable tool for promoting healthier pregnancies.