The contribution of fat component to gestational weight gain

Abstract

Objective: to estimate the role of adipose tissue in gestational weight gain (GWG) and preferential fat deposition among normal-weight women. Subjects and methods: prospective cohort study of 84 pregnancies: maternal body mass index 18,5–24,9 kg/m2, singleton term pregnancy, nondiabetic women, somatically well. GWG and skinfold thickness were evaluated in the 1st, 2nd, 3d trimesters, on the 3d day after delivery. Results: fat mass gain in low GWG was similar to recommended GWG and in the high-GWG group was greater one. Women with recommended and low GWG returned to their initial fat level on the 3d day after delivery, in excessive weight gain fat significantly increased (р=0,025). Compared to initial recommended GWG resulted in triceps skinfold thicknesses loss (р=0,001), in abdominal skinfold gained nothing and in thighs skinfold thicknesses increasing (р=0,021). Inadequate GWG leads to fat loss in arms (р=0,017), fat of abdominal area and thighs return to initial level. In excessive GWG fat in the upper trunk and arms not changed, in the lower area (thighs) significantly increased compared to initial level (р=0,001) or other groups (р=0,001). Conclusion: excessive GWG was associated with greater adipose tissue cumulation and its deposition preferentially over the thighs. Inadequate GWG was clearly linked to low fat-free mass gain.