Pregnancy Gain Research Articles

Weight Gain in Pregnancy and Weight Retention after Birth

AIM:Our study aims to determine the weight gain of pregnant women and their body weight one year after delivery. We compared these changes in body weight with education and place of residence (urban/rural).METHODS:Secundigravidae women (N = 113) filled out the structured checklist regarding anthropological characteristics, such as body weight (the current and before and after the first pregnancy). Some sociodemographic characteristics were also obtained.RESULTS:Average weight gain in pregnancy was 16.9 kg (Sd 6.1, median 16 kg; range 6-40 kg). Women with high school education only gained 2 kg more than women with college/university degree (F (1, 108) 4.11, p ≤ 0.05). There was no significant difference in weight gain when the place of residence was compared (F (1, 111) 2.86, p ≥ 0.05). The average weight difference one year after delivery was 3.3 kg (Sd 4.3, median 2 kg; spread -5 to 20 kg). There was no significant difference in weight difference one year after delivery in different educational groups. Women from rural area retained 2.5 kg more than women in an urban area (F (1, 109) 7.50, p ≤ 0.01).CONCLUSION:Our research has shown that women with higher education level gain less weight than women with lower degrees. They had more possibility to get access to information about health risks. The overall impression is that women do care about weight gain in pregnancy and actively work on getting back to desirable weight after delivery. This is even more important if we know that body weight before pregnancy, weight gain in pregnancy, pregnancy overweight and pregnancy obesity impact later life of mother and child. Therefore, the need for weight control in pregnancy and between pregnancies should be properly addressed.

MATERNAL NUTRITION AND WEIGHT GAIN AFFECTING OUTCOME OF PREGNANCY

Poor nutritional status and inadequate food intake during and prior to pregnancy not only affect Women’s health but also have negative impact on growth and development of fetus. The birth weight of an infant is a powerful predictor of growth and survival of infant and is dependent on maternal health and nutritional status, pre-pregnancy weight and general weight gain are all strongly associated with fetal growth and development. So, improving maternal nutrition prior to conception and during pregnancy are potential strategies to improve birth weight. The Present study has been carried out to discuss the circumstances under which the effect of maternal nutrition on birth weight can be observed, and to determine the specific contributors of calories and protein to birth weight.
 Materials and methods: The present study has been carried out at Teaching Medical College and hospital to find out correlation between various factors responsible for maternal weight gain and nutrition with birth weight of baby and to standardize diet chart for pregnant mothers in rural area. The study included 100 women who were followed up from 8 to 10 week of pregnancy till delivery. Anthropometric measurements including maternal weight, height and total weight gain in pregnancy and infant’s birth weight were recorded and all mothers were interviewed for their bio-social variables. Results: The mean birth weight is below 2.4 kg in age <19 years and in 30 years and above, it is >2.5 kg. The mean birth weight in primipara is 2.4 kg and then it gradually increased maximum up to 2.6 kg in multipara. The mean birth weight in 2.4 kg in mothers below 145cm.Above that till 160 cm there is steady increase in birth weight up to 3.08 kg. The mean birth weight was lowest in cases where maternal weight is below 40 kg and it reached maximum 3 kg in weight group 60-69 kg. The mean birth weight is 2.4 kg in weight gain between 5-9 kg and maximum up to 3 kg in weight gain between 15-19 kg. The mean birth weight is 3.2 kg in high socioeconomic group and 2.2 kg in low socioeconomic group.
 Conclusion: There is definite relation between maternal age, parity, height, pre-pregnancy weight, weight gain during pregnancy, socioeconomic status and daily dietary intake per day and birth weight of baby. So health policies should be aimed at early detection and effective management of under nutrition to reduce the burden of low birth weight babies and there is a need to focus attention on better maternal nutrition and education on birth spacing, early pregnancy and family planning.

Association of early excessive maternal weight gain with hypertensive disease of pregnancy

There are many risk factors that precipitate Hypertensive Disease of Pregnancy (HDP). Management is usually done at secondary prevention level. However, aim should be to identify primary maternal modifiable risk factors, gestational weight gain being one of them. The study was done to see association between early and total excessive gestational weight gain and hypertension in pregnancy. Women were enrolled at first visit. Weight, blood pressure measurements and routine examination were done at all visits. 45 developed HDP and were considered as cases. Equal number of normotensive women were taken as controls. Weight gain at 20, 28 weeks and at delivery was noted. Early excessive and total gestational weight gain were significantly associated with HDP. Thus, weight gain in pregnancy should be kept under control. Counseling should be done regarding the benefits of appropriate weight gain during pregnancy and the potential harms of excessive weight gain.

Review of FIGO & ADA, WHO, IADPSG Guidelines for GDM for Low Resource Setting and Integration of DIPSI with MOHFW Govt of India, Guidelines

OGTT is performed in pregnant women by measuring the plasma glucose in fasting or non-fasting after 2-hour ingesting 75 grams of glucose (Monohydrate Dextrose Anhydrous). For diagnosing gestational diabetes (GDM) Indian Guidelines (DIPSI Test) are simple and can be done easily in low resource setting where large number of pregnant women visit for ANC check-up. The severity of GDM increases because of the action of insulin is diminished (insulin resistance) due to raised hormone secretion by the placenta. Other risk factors for GDM are being elderly, increased BMI, or obesity, weight gain in pregnancy, history of diabetes in family, stillbirth or a congenital abnormality in previous deliveries. GDM has previously been considered to be transient during pregnancy and resolve after pregnancy but, pregnant women with hyperglycaemia are at higher risk of developing GDM in subsequent pregnancies and about half of the women with a history of GDM will develop type II Diabetes within five to ten years after delivery. DIPSI simple testing protocol is endorsed by the National Health Mission (GOI) Guideline on GDM, and also endorsed by the FIGO guideline on HIP for use in South Asia. This testing protocol has been followed by Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh in the region. Tamil-Nadu state and Uttar Pradesh states in India launched a Universal GDM Program in 2007 and 2016 respectively, covering all pregnancies by testing and managing GDM with MNT, Metformin and Insulin in most of health care facilities. Around 28,000 ANM have been given glucometers, strips, glucose 75 gm packets for implementation of the largest GDM program in Uttar Pradesh, India to date.

Effect of structured diet and lifestyle counseling in preventing excessive gestational weight gain in pregnancy: A prospective randomized control study

Effect of structured diet and lifestyle counseling in preventing excessive gestational weight gain in pregnancy: A prospective randomized control study

Gestational weight gain and pregnancy outcomes: where does delivery timing fit in?

Gestational weight gain is a modifiable risk factor that impacts both short and long term maternal and child health (1). In 2009, the Institute of Medicine (IOM, now the National Academy of Medicine) published guidelines, “Weight Gain in Pregnancy, Reexamining the Guidelines”, recommending pregnancy weight gain goals stratified based on prepregnancy BMI (2). Achieving these goals in the United States has been difficult: in 2012–2013, only 32.1% of parturients met the recommended gestational weight gain target (3). Nonetheless, there is evidence supporting the use of dietary and lifestyle modifications to improve both maternal weight gain and obstetric outcomes (4,5).

Maternal Perception on Obesity; Its Complications and Gestational Weight Gain in Pregnant Mothers Presenting to Antenatal Clinics in a South Asian Teaching Hospital (De Soyza Hospital for Women Colombo—DSHW)

The rates of overweight and obesity are rising to epidemic proportions globally, especially among women. Obesity is increasingly common in the obstetric population as well. Sri Lanka is not an exception to this regard. There is limited published data on maternal perceptions on obesity in pregnancy, gestational weight gain and its complications. The current study aimed to describe the maternal perception on obesity, their knowledge on complications of obesity in pregnancy and gestational weight gain in pregnant mothers. Hospital based descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among a systematic sample of 416 pregnant women registered for antenatal clinic care at De Soyza Maternity Hospital. Pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Maternal BMI at booking visit was taken from the pregnancy record to assess the overweight/obesity prevalence among the study population. Nearly one third (32.2%) of the study population were overweight and 11.8% were obese. Fifty three percent (53%) of overweight women identified themselves as such, but 45% of them considered themselves to be normal weight. Most of the pregnant women in the study sample (59.6%) were unable to estimate the recommended weight gain in pregnancy. Women’s knowledge on the specific risks associated with maternal obesity was poor. Pregnant mother’s knowledge on obesity, gestational weight gain and its consequences were unsatisfactory. Bridging this knowledge gap is an important step towards improving perinatal outcomes for all pregnant mothers in the current obesity epidemic.

330: Weight gain and pregnancy outcomes in overweight or obese women with twin gestations

To estimate the association between adherence to weight gain recommendations and pregnancy outcomes in overweight and obese women with twin pregnancies. This is a retrospective cohort study of women with overweight (BMI 25.0 – 29.9 kg/m2) and obese pre- pregnancy BMI (> 30.0 kg/m2) and twin pregnancies delivered > 24 weeks by a single MFM practice between 2005- 2017. Baseline characteristics, weight gain patterns and pregnancy outcomes were compared between women who did and did not meet or exceed gestational weight gain requirements, as recommended by the Institute of Medicine in 2009. Since total weight gain is also dependent on gestational age at delivery, we used weight gain per week to define adequate weight gain for women with overweight (0.85 lb/week) and obese (0.68 lb/week) pre- pregnancy BMI. A total of 252 overweight and obese women with twin pregnancies met inclusion criteria, 171 (67.9%) of whom met or exceeded weight gain requirements and 81 (32.1%) of whom did not. There were no differences in baseline clinical and demographic characteristics between the two groups. Women with inadequate weight gain had significantly less weight gain in each trimester, as well as less total weight gain for the whole pregnancy. Women with inadequate average gestational weight gain had significantly lower birthweights of the larger twin (2440g vs. 2675g, p=0.001) and the smaller twin (2212g vs. 2398g, p=0.005), higher incidence of spontaneous preterm birth <37 weeks (33.3% vs. 21.1%, p=0.03), higher incidence of premature rupture of membranes (24.7% vs. 11.7%, p=0.008), and greater likelihood of any twin birthweight <10th percentile for gestational age (51.9% vs. 35.5%, p=0.01). There were no differences in the likelihood of cesarean delivery, preeclampsia, or gestational diabetes between the two groups. For overweight and obese women with twin gestations, meeting the IOM recommendations for weight gain in pregnancy is associated with improved pregnancy outcomes.View Large Image Figure ViewerDownload Hi-res image Download (PPT)

Health policy and its unintended consequences for midwife-woman partnerships: Is normal pregnancy at risk when the BMI measure is used?

Background: Little attention has been paid to understanding the unintended consequences of health policy for midwife-woman partnerships. The measure of Body Mass Index (BMI) is one such policy example which has become established in contemporary midwifery practice as a tool for assessing pregnancy risk. The universal acceptance of BMI creates an unsettling paradox for midwives concerned with promoting woman-centred practice. The increasing focus on BMI is challenging for midwives as they navigate ethical tensions when directed to undertake practices which have potential unwonted consequences for the midwife-woman partnership. Aim: The aim of the study was to explore the use of an indicator, using BMI as an example, to provide an international perspective on obesity prevention policy and maternity care provision. Method: A comparative case study approach was taken, using descriptive cross-national comparative analysis of obesity prevention policy, weight management guidelines and midwifery models of care in New Zealand and Scotland. Discussion: Despite promoting healthy weight gain in pregnancy, New Zealand and Scottish health policies may be missing health promotion opportunities. Focusing on BMI in maternity, per se, should not prohibit other assessment of lifestyle issues or delivery of services based on individual needs, capacities, histories and sociological characteristics. Relying solely on pre-pregnancy BMI as a marker of health in all women has remained relatively unchallenged and, as such, constitutes a policy problem because it occludes the factoring in of other lifestyle issues that may significantly alter individual risk status. Further, such an assessment of risk status is ideally arrived at within a partnership model of maternity care, rather than reliance on an a priori medical test. Conclusion: Decontextualised policies are challenging for midwives where medical and midwifery values are in conflict. Policy which fails to consider the multiple and complex contexts of women's lives is confronting for midwives as they attempt to re-articulate the meaning of woman-centred practice. Furthermore, BMI as a tool may be ineffectual. The current focus on BMI in policy and practice requires re-consideration.

The effect of an educational intervention in early pregnancy with spouse's participation on optimal gestational weight gain in pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial.

Gaining weight above the Institute of Medicine recommended range contributes to the development of obesity, which increases risk for diseases. We evaluated the effectiveness of an educational program with the spouse's participation on the optimal gestational weight gain (GWG) in pregnancy. We conducted a randomized controlled trial on 128 nulliparous women attending Najmieh Hospital-Antenatal Clinic based in Tehran-Iran. Participants randomly allocated into two groups of interventions and one control group. In group A, the women received education with their spouse's participation. In group B, the women received education without the participation of the spouses. In the control group, women received only routine prenatal care. Data were analysed by the ANOVA and Chi-square coefficient. The mean of the total GWG in the groups A and B was significantly lower than the control group (13.50 ± 3.85, 13.55 ± 3.20 and 15.53 ± 4.20 kg, respectively, P > 0.05). The rate of optimal GWG in groups A and B was 1.97 and 1.77 times of the control group, respectively (P < 0.05). The percentage of non-optimal GWG significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Groups A and B were not significantly different indicating no effect of spousal presence.

Serum Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) in mothers with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and their term fetuses

ABSTRACTWe sought to determine serum AMH levels in the maternal circulation, and the umbilical artery and vein, in normal women and women with PCOS, and their neonates at time of delivery. This represents a cross-sectional study of 57 pregnant patients who presented to the labor and delivery suite and subsequently delivered. We obtained maternal, as well as fetal blood from both, umbilical artery and vein. We measured serum concentrations of estradiol, AMH, testosterone and FSH. A total of 30 patients delivered a female and 27 a male neonate. Of them, 18/30 and 18/27 had a diagnosis of PCOS by NIH criteria. Mean age, BMI, weight gain in pregnancy, and gestational age did not differ between the two groups of mothers. AMH serum levels were statistically higher in women with PCOS (p < 0.005) and in their fetuses, independently of gender. Testosterone was higher in women with PCOS (p < 0.001), but there was no PCOS-related difference in their fetuses. FSH levels were significantly lower in PCOS than non-PCOS mothers carrying a male (p = 0.022), but not a female, fetus. AMH was positively correlated with maternal serum testosterone (p = 0.001) and negatively with fetal serum FSH (p < 0.026). In PCOS pregnancies, AMH was negatively correlated with maternal BMI (p = 0.019), menstrual cycle length (p = 0.035), and fetal uterine vein FSH (p = 0.021). In conclusion, at time of delivery, fetuses of women with PCOS had higher AMH levels and similar testosterone levels compared to fetuses from non-PCOS mothers, irrespective of gender. Our results may help explaining developmental differences in offspring of PCOS women.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02431884.

The Relationship between Gestational Weight Gain and Postpartum Depression in Normal and Overweight Pregnant Women.

Objective To investigate the relationship between weight gain in pregnancy and postpartum depression (PPD) in normal and overweight pregnant women. Methods The participants of this prospective cohort study were 223 healthy pregnant women with the first trimester body mass index (BMI) between 18.5 and 30 and the gestational age of 10-14 weeks and depressed women were excluded with Beck questionnaire in the first trimester. The evaluation included weight gain at the end of the second and third trimesters and the screening of PPD in 6-8 weeks after delivery by Edinburgh scale. Results 49 participants were excluded from the study and data from 174 people were analyzed. 32.2% of mothers were scored above 12 in the Edinburgh scale. The only variable associated with depression was the third trimester weight gain (OR 1.17, 95%CI 1.04-1.32). Conclusion In addition to considering other risk factors for postpartum depression, health care providers should consider the higher probability of PPD in prepregnancy normal and overweight women who have excessive weight gain especially in the third trimester of pregnancy.

The relationship between maternal weight gain in pregnancy and newborn weight

AimThis study investigated the impacts of different pre-pregnancy body mass indexes and gestational weight gain on the risk of delivering a high birth weight infant in China. MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted from 2013 to 2014 in the Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Jinan City, Shandong Province and 2415 women who had a singleton birth were included in the study. A logistic regression model and restricted cubic spline regression were used to analyse the association. FindingsThe risk of delivering a high birth weight infant increases when the mother’s pre-pregnancy body mass index exceeds 24kg/m2. Compared with women whose pre-pregnancy body mass index was 21kg/m2, the adjusted risk of delivering a high birth weight infant doubled when the mother’s pre-pregnancy body mass index was 29kg/m2, and nearly tripled when the mother’s pre-pregnancy body mass index was 31kg/m2. Compared with women who had a gestational weight gain of 12.0kg, women having a gestational weight gain of 20.0kg, 22.0kg, and 26.0kg had a 1.7-, 2.2-, and 3.5-fold increased risk of delivering a high birth weight infant. When the mother experiences a gestational weight gain greater than 27kg, the risk of delivering a high birth weight infant is at least 4-fold greater than that for a mother who has a gestational weight gain of 12.0kg. ConclusionsProposed strategies to raise public awareness of the risks to infants posed by high maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index and gestational weight gain are required. All clinical recommendations and measures are for all pregnant women, not just overweight and obese pregnant women.

Obesity and Weight Gain in Pregnancy and Postpartum: an Evidence Review of Lifestyle Interventions to Inform Maternal and Child Health Policies.

Background: Maternal obesity, excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) and post-partum weight retention (PPWR) constitute new public health challenges, due to the association with negative short- and long-term maternal and neonatal outcomes. The aim of this evidence review was to identify effective lifestyle interventions to manage weight and improve maternal and infant outcomes during pregnancy and postpartum.Methods: A review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses investigating the effects of lifestyle interventions on GWG or PPWR was conducted (Jan 2009–2018) via electronic searches in the databases Medline, Pubmed, Web of Science and Cochrane Library using all keywords related to obesity/weight gain/loss, pregnancy or postpartum and lifestyle interventions;15 relevant reviews were selected.Results: In healthy women from all BMI classes, diet and physical activity interventions can decrease: GWG (mean difference −1.8 to −0.7 kg, high to moderate-quality evidence); the risks of GWG above the IOM guidelines (risk ratio [RR] 0.72 to 0.80, high to low-quality evidence); pregnancy-induced hypertension (RR 0.30 to 0.66, low to very low-quality evidence); cesarean section (RR 0.91 to 0.95; high to moderate-quality evidence) and neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RR 0.56, high-quality evidence); without any maternal/fetal/neonatal adverse effects. In women with overweight/obesity, multi-component interventions can decrease: GWG (−0.91 to −0.63 kg, moderate to very low-quality evidence); pregnancy-induced hypertension (RR 0.30 to 0.66, low-quality evidence); macrosomia (RR 0.85, 0.73 to 1.0, moderate-quality evidence) and neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RR 0.47, 0.26 to 0.85, moderate-quality evidence). Diet is associated with greater reduction of the risks of GDM, pregnancy-induced hypertension and preterm birth, compared with any other intervention. After delivery, combined diet and physical activity interventions reduce PPWR in women of any BMI (−2.57 to −2.3 kg, very low quality evidence) or with overweight/obesity (−3.6 to −1.22, moderate to very low-quality-evidence), but no other effects were reported.Conclusions: Multi-component approaches including a balanced diet with low glycaemic load and light to moderate intensity physical activity, 30–60 min per day 3–5 days per week, should be recommended from the first trimester of pregnancy and maintained during the postpartum period. This evidence review should help inform recommendations for health care professionals and women of child-bearing age.

Diet and Lifestyle Before and During Pregnancy - Practical Recommendations of the Germany-wide Healthy Start - Young Family Network.

Diet and exercise before and during pregnancy affect the course of the pregnancy, the childʼs development and the short- and long-term health of mother and child. The Healthy Start – Young Family Network has updated the recommendations on nutrition in pregnancy that first appeared in 2012 and supplemented them with recommendations on a preconception lifestyle. The recommendations address body weight before conception, weight gain in pregnancy, energy and nutritional requirements and diet (including a vegetarian/vegan diet), the supplements folic acid/folate, iodine, iron and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), protection against food-borne illnesses, physical activity before and during pregnancy, alcohol, smoking, caffeinated drinks, oral and dental hygiene and the use of medicinal products. Preparation for breast-feeding is recommended already during pregnancy. Vaccination recommendations for women planning a pregnancy are also included. These practical recommendations of the Germany-wide Healthy Start – Young Family Network are intended to assist all professional groups that counsel women and couples wishing to have children and during pregnancy with uniform, scientifically-based and practical information.

Food craving frequency mediates the relationship between emotional eating and excess weight gain in pregnancy

An estimated 50% of pregnancies in the U.S. are associated with maternal weight gain that exceeds Institute of Medicine recommendations. The numerous adverse consequences of obesity in gestation, delivery and the postpartum have been widely documented. The role of excess gestational weight gain (GWG) as a predictor of lifetime obesity risk in mothers and their children is also increasingly recognized. Cravings and negative affect are commonly cited triggers of overconsumption in pregnant women. We sought to examine the role of food craving frequency as a mediator in the relation between emotional eating and excess GWG. In this cross-sectional study, pregnant women (n = 113) completed the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire, a measure of “restrained,” “emotional,” and “external” eating styles, along with the Food Craving Inventory, which quantifies cravings for “high fat foods,” “fast food fats,” “carbohydrates/starches,” and “sweets.” Participants also reported on pre-pregnancy weight and height, and GWG at the time of survey completion. Data supported the hypothesized mediation model, with frequency of “high fat foods” cravings fully mediating the relationship between “emotional” eating and excess GWG (Sobel test z = 2.40, p = .016). This study addresses the striking dearth of research examining potentially modifiable psychosocial predictors of excess GWG. Future longitudinal research should examine if salient affective states trigger food cravings, thus placing pregnant women at increased risk of excess weight gain. Findings have implications for treatment interventions targeting excess GWG, suggesting a need to teach skills to help patients better manage low moods and cravings.

Gestational diabetes mellitus: different management strategies should be adopted for different subsets of patients diagnosed by oral glucose tolerance test.

To compare women diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) according to the International Association of the Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) diagnostic criteria based on the number of OGTT diagnostic criteria, which OGTT parameters are altered and the glycemic deviation from proposed diagnostic cutoffs. Cross-sectional, multicentric study of women diagnosed with GDM between 24-28 weeks of pregnancy according to the IADPSG criteria, in Portugal, between 2012-2014. Primary outcomes: large for gestational age (LGA) and maternal glucose metabolism status after delivery. Secondary outcome: small for gestational age (SGA). Three-thousand three-hundred fourteen patients were included; 67% had 1 OGTT altered value; 3.6% had LGA and 13% had SGA newborns; 7% had prediabetes/diabetes after delivery. Three diagnostic criteria in OGTT (OR 3.02; p < 0.001), a diagnostic value at 0 min (OR 2.09; p = 0.002) and 60 min (OR 1.70; p = 0.022) and glucose deviation at 0 min (OR 1.02; p = 0.014) were predictors of LGA. Having 2 (OR 1.94; p < 0.001) or 3 (OR 3.93; p < 0.001) diagnostic criteria in OGTT, a diagnostic value at 0 min (OR 1.76; p = 0.002), at 60 min (OR 1.57; p = 0.007) and at 120 min (OR 3.11; p < 0.001), the glucose deviation at 0 (OR 1.02; p = 0.017) and 120 min (OR 1.02; p < 0.001) were predictors of prediabetes/diabetes after delivery. Insufficient weight gain in pregnancy (OR 1.49; p < 0.001) and lower maternal BMI (OR 0.97; p = 0.024) were associated with SGA. IADPSG diagnostic criteria include a heterogeneous group of women, for whom different management strategies should be adopted to obtain ideal pregnancy outcomes.

Development of a dietary screening questionnaire to predict excessive weight gain in pregnancy.

Excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) is a risk factor for several adverse pregnancy outcomes, including macrosomia. Diet is one of the few modifiable risk factors identified. However, most dietary assessment methods are impractical for use in maternal care. This study evaluated whether a short dietary screening questionnaire could be used as a predictor of excessive GWG in a cohort of Icelandic women. The dietary data were collected in gestational weeks 11–14, using a 40‐item food frequency screening questionnaire. The dietary data were transformed into 13 predefined dietary risk factors for an inadequate diet. Stepwise backward elimination was used to identify a reduced set of factors that best predicted excessive GWG. This set of variables was then used to calculate a combined dietary risk score (range 0–5). Information regarding outcomes, GWG (n = 1,326) and birth weight (n = 1,651), was extracted from maternal hospital records. In total, 36% had excessive GWG (Icelandic criteria), and 5% of infants were macrosomic (≥4,500 g). A high dietary risk score (characterized by a nonvaried diet, nonadequate frequency of consumption of fruits/vegetables, dairy, and whole grain intake, and excessive intake of sugar/artificially sweetened beverages and dairy) was associated with a higher risk of excessive GWG. Women with a high (≥4) versus low (≤2) risk score had higher risk of excessive GWG (relative risk = 1.23, 95% confidence interval, CI [1.002, 1.50]) and higher odds of delivering a macrosomic offspring (odds ratio = 2.20, 95% CI [1.14, 4.25]). The results indicate that asking simple questions about women's dietary intake early in pregnancy could identify women who should be prioritized for further dietary counselling and support.

Individually Tailored, Adaptive Intervention to Manage Gestational Weight Gain: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial in Women With Overweight and Obesity.

BackgroundHigh gestational weight gain is a major public health concern as it independently predicts adverse maternal and infant outcomes. Past interventions have had only limited success in effectively managing pregnancy weight gain, especially among women with overweight and obesity. Well-designed interventions are needed that take an individualized approach and target unique barriers to promote healthy weight gain.ObjectiveThe primary aim of the study is to describe the study protocol for Healthy Mom Zone, an individually tailored, adaptive intervention for managing weight in pregnant women with overweight and obesity.MethodsThe Healthy Mom Zone Intervention, based on theories of planned behavior and self-regulation and a model of energy balance, includes components (eg, education, self-monitoring, physical activity/healthy eating behaviors) that are adapted over the intervention (ie, increase in intensity) to better regulate weight gain. Decision rules inform when to adapt the intervention. In this randomized controlled trial, women are randomized to the intervention or standard care control group. The intervention is delivered from approximately 8-36 weeks gestation and includes step-ups in dosages (ie, Step-up 1 = education + physical activity + healthy eating active learning [cooking/recipes]; Step-up 2 = Step-up 1 + portion size, physical activity; Step-up 3 = Step-up 1 + 2 + grocery store feedback, physical activity); 5 maximum adaptations. Study measures are obtained at pre- and postintervention as well as daily (eg, weight), weekly (eg, energy intake/expenditure), and monthly (eg, psychological) over the study period. Analyses will include linear mixed-effects models, generalized estimating equations, and dynamical modeling to understand between-group and within-individual effects of the intervention on weight gain.ResultsRecruitment of 31 pregnant women with overweight and obesity has occurred from January 2016 through July 2017. Baseline data have been collected for all participants. To date, 24 participants have completed the intervention and postintervention follow-up assessments, 3 are currently in progress, 1 dropped out, and 3 women had early miscarriages and are no longer active in the study. Of the 24 participants, 13 women have completed the intervention to date, of which 1 (8%, 1/13) received only the baseline intervention, 3 (23%, 3/13) received baseline + step-up 1, 6 (46%, 6/13) received baseline + step-up 1 + step-up 2, and 3 (23%, 3/13) received baseline + step-up 1 + step-up 2 +step-up 3. Data analysis is still ongoing through spring 2018.ConclusionsThis is one of the first intervention studies to use an individually tailored, adaptive design to manage weight gain in pregnancy. Results from this study will be useful in designing a larger randomized trial to examine efficacy of this intervention and developing strategies for clinical application.Registered Report IdentifierRR1-10.2196/9220

Combined Iatrogenic Hyperinsulinemia and Excessive Weight Gain in Pregnancy

Combined Iatrogenic Hyperinsulinemia and Excessive Weight Gain in Pregnancy