Eating behavior and weight gain during pregnancy.

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Nutritional Science
• Psychology

Background:

• The relationship between eating behaviors and weight gain during pregnancy is not well understood.
• Previous research in non-pregnant individuals suggests a link between eating behaviors and weight gain.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the association between self-reported cognitive restraint, disinhibition, hunger, and excessive gestational weight gain (GWG).
• To determine if eating behaviors predict GWG based on Institute of Medicine (IOM) 2009 guidelines.

Main Methods:

• 190 pregnant women from the "Glowing study" completed the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ).
• Gestational weight gain was measured and classified according to IOM guidelines.
• Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between TFEQ scores and excessive GWG.

Main Results:

• Unadjusted analysis showed a higher odds of excessive GWG with increased disinhibition.
• After controlling for sociodemographic factors and baseline BMI, TFEQ scores were not significantly associated with excessive GWG.
• Eating behavior subscales showed modest correlations with baseline BMI categories.

Conclusions:

• The initial association between disinhibition and excessive GWG was not sustained after adjustment for confounding variables.
• This study did not find a significant relationship between the assessed eating behaviors and excessive GWG in pregnant women when considering sociodemographic factors and baseline BMI.