Gestational Weight Gain and Its Relationship with Maternal Characteristics
Yeela Ben Naftali1, Ido Solt1, Lior Lowenstein1
1Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Rambam Health Care Campus, affiliated with Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
The Israel Medical Association Journal : IMAJ
|May 18, 2017
Summary
Most pregnant women do not achieve recommended weight gain, with higher body mass index (BMI), past smoking, and older age linked to excessive gain. Targeted counseling is crucial for high-risk individuals.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
- Public Health Nutrition
Background:
- Both excessive and insufficient gestational weight gain (GWG) are linked to adverse maternal and offspring outcomes.
- Understanding GWG patterns is vital for optimizing pregnancy health.
- Current recommendations for GWG exist but adherence varies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize self-reported GWG among pregnant women.
- To evaluate the alignment of reported GWG with established guidelines.
- To explore associations between lifestyle factors and GWG patterns.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 109 hospitalized pregnant women.
- Data collected via questionnaires on weight gain and lifestyle factors (smoking, diet, exercise).
- Recommended GWG criteria from the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists were used.
Main Results:
- Nearly half (49%) of participants exceeded recommended GWG; 23% gained too little.
- High GWG was associated with pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) >25 kg/m², past smoking, and age >36 years.
- Only 31% sought professional nutritional counseling; diabetic women showed higher consultation rates.
Conclusions:
- A minority of women achieved recommended GWG during pregnancy.
- Factors like higher BMI, smoking history, and advanced maternal age predict excessive GWG.
- Enhanced counseling strategies are needed for women at elevated risk of inadequate or excessive GWG.
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