Gestational weight gain and associated factors of Chinese women in the second and third trimester of pregnancy in 2015

Abstract

To describe gestational weight gain status of pregnant women in China, and to explore potential factors related to gestational weight gain of pregnant women in the 2 nd and 3 rd trimester in 2015. Participants were from Chinese National Nutrition and Health Surveillance in 2012 and in 2015. Using a multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling method, a total of 8512 pregnant women were recruited in 2015. A standard questionnaire was used to collect general information and pre-pregnancy weight. Body weight and height of pregnant women were measured using a unified weighing scale and stadiometer. In 2015, the prevalences of underweight, normal weight, overweight and obesity in pre-pregnancy were 16.0%, 66.0%, 14.9%, 3.1% according to Chinese BMI standard, respectively. In the 2 nd trimester, the prevalences of inadequate gestational weight gain, appropriate gestational weight gain and excess gestational weight gain were 14.6%, 27.2% and 58.2% based on IOM gestational weight gain standard, respectively. In the 3 rd trimester, the prevalences of inadequate gestational weight gain, appropriate gestational weight gain and excess gestational weight gain were 12.7%, 31.5%, 55.8% based on IOM gestational weight gain standard, respectively. The odds of excess gestational weight gain was 1.53(95%CI 1.19-1.99) in the second trimester, and 2.05(95% CI 1.59-2.63) in the third trimester for overweight women, compared to normal weight women during pre-pregnancy. The prevalence of excess gestational weight gain showed an increasing trend in both urban and rural areas, which was not related to pregnant women's age and education. Second parity might be a protective factor for appropriate weight gain in late pregnancy. Compared to 2012, the prevalence of underweight before pregnancy and inadequate gestaional weight gain decreased in 2015. By contrast, the prevalence of overweight, obesity and excess gestational weight gain showed an upward trend.