Simulation of 3D Body Shapes for Pregnant and Postpartum Women

Chanjira Sinthanayothin,Piyanut Xuto,Nonlapas Wongwaen,Wisarut Bholsithi,Parut Bunporn,Nantaporn Ratisoontorn,Duangrat Gansawat,Supiya Charoensiriwath

doi:10.3390/s22052036

Abstract

Several studies have reported that pre-pregnant women’s body mass index (BMI) affects women’s weight gain with complications during pregnancy and the postpartum weight retention. It is important to control the BMI before, during and after pregnancy. Our objectives are to develop a technique that can compute and visualize 3D body shapes of women during pregnancy and postpartum in various gestational ages, BMI, and postpartum durations. Body changes data from 98 pregnant and 83 postpartum women were collected, tracked for six months, and analyzed to create 3D model shapes. This study allows users to simulate their 3D body shapes in real-time and online, based on weight, height, and gestational age, using multiple linear regression and morphing techniques. To evaluate the results, precision tests were performed on simulated 3D pregnant and postpartum women’s shapes. Additionally, a satisfaction test on the application was conducted on new 149 mothers. The accuracy of the simulation was tested on 75 pregnant and 74 postpartum volunteers in terms of relationships between statistical calculation, simulated 3D models and actual tape measurement of chest, waist, hip, and inseam. Our results can predict accurately the body proportions of pregnant and postpartum women.

Highlights

Reports [3–5] showed that women with a pre-pregnant body mass index (BMI) of either overweight or obese levels are at risk of developing diabetes during pregnancy compared to women with normal pre-pregnant BMI, even after taking the weight gains during a normal pregnancy into account
The findings suggested that lower attractiveness in early-to-middle pregnancy was associated with higher gestational weight gain (GWG) [13]
Coefficient values were calculated according to the woman’s age, pre-pregnancy weight, height, gestational age, and weight gain during pregnancy, which were applied to the statistical calculation of pregnant female body shape in Equation (1)

Summary

Introduction

Obesity during pregnancy is a serious health problem for women. Worldwide, obstetricians and midwives have confronted increasing obesity among pregnant women [1,2].Reports [3–5] showed that women with a pre-pregnant body mass index (BMI) of either overweight or obese levels are at risk of developing diabetes during pregnancy compared to women with normal pre-pregnant BMI, even after taking the weight gains during a normal pregnancy into account. Women with diabetes during pregnancy tend to have high blood pressure, which can lead to abdominal surgery and premature birth [6]. It is important for all women who are planning to become pregnant to control a proper weight before and during pregnancy using multi-faceted interventions throughout the reproductive years as a part of a long-term follow up and behavioral interventions to minimize pregnancy weight gain [7]. It was reported that if a woman in the postpartum period was unable to regulate her weight to her pre-pregnant weight within six months, postpartum weight retention could predict future weight gain and long-term obesity [10].

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Discussion

Conclusion