Intuitive eating and gestational weight gain

This observational study was designed to establish whether there is a relationship between intuitive eating and gestational weight gain. Intuitive eating involves eating according to hunger and satiety cues, rather than following diet rules or eating in response to external triggers or emotions. Higher levels of intuitive eating are associated with bodyweight in the normal range in women during young and middle adulthood. Excess gestational weight gain is associated with an increased incidence of adverse health outcomes for mothers and children, including many pregnancy related conditions and, following pregnancy, an increased likelihood of obesity among mothers and children. Pregnant women were recruited at their nuchal translucency scan (11-14 weeks gestation), in Dunedin, New Zealand, between 2013 and 2015. A cohort of 218 women completed questionnaires at four times during their pregnancies. Intuitive eating was measured using a version of the Intuitive Eating Scale (IES) adapted for pregnant women and revalidated with this population. Gestational weight gain was calculated at the term visit (>35 weeks gestation) and babies' birth weight was established from the electronic maternity system. Mean total IES scores (and all IES subscales) increased across pregnancy. For every one point greater total IES score at baseline, there was a 1.7 (0.5, 2.9) kg lower gestational weight gain. There was no association between babies' birth weight and intuitive eating. Intuitive eating appears to be associated with lower gestational weight gain but not babies' birth weight. It remains to be seen whether intuitive eating can be increased by educational interventions during pregnancy and thus have an impact on gestational weight gain.