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. 2009 Mar;200(3):271.e1-7.
doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2008.09.879. Epub 2009 Jan 10.

Gestational weight gain by body mass index among US women delivering live births, 2004-2005: fueling future obesity

Susan Y Chu  1 , William M Callaghan, Connie L Bish, Denise D'Angelo
Affiliations

Gestational weight gain by body mass index among US women delivering live births, 2004-2005: fueling future obesity

Susan Y Chu et al. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2009 Mar.

Abstract

Objective: Current pregnancy weight gain guidelines are based on prepregnancy body mass indices (BMI), but gestational weight gains by BMI class among US women are unknown.

Study design: We assessed the amount of gestational weight gain among 52,988 underweight, normal-weight, overweight, and obese US women who delivered a singleton, full-term infant in 2004-2005. Excessive weight gain during pregnancy was defined as gaining 35 or more pounds for normal-weight and 25 or more pounds for overweight women.

Results: Approximately 40% of normal-weight and 60% of overweight women gained excessive weight during pregnancy. Obese women gained the least, although one-fourth of these women gained 35 or more pounds. Excessive weight gain levels were highest among women aged 19-years-old or younger and those having their first birth.

Conclusion: Excessive gestational weight gains were common, especially among the youngest and those who were nulliparous. These results predict higher obesity levels from pregnancy weight gains among US women.

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