Pregnancy: a "teachable moment" for weight control and obesity prevention

Abstract

Excessive gestational weight gain has been shown to relate to high-postpartum weight retention and the development of overweight and obesity later in life. Because many women are concerned about the health of their babies during pregnancy and are in frequent contact with their healthcare providers, pregnancy may be an especially powerful "teachable moment" for the promotion of healthy eating and physical activity behaviors among women. Initial research suggests that helping women gain the recommended amount during pregnancy through healthy eating and physical activity could make a major contribution to the prevention of postpartum weight retention. However, more randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes are needed to identify the most effective and disseminable intervention. Providers have the potential to prevent high postpartum weight retention and future obesity by monitoring weight gain during pregnancy and giving appropriate advice about recommended amounts of gestational weight gain.

Figure 1

Prevalence of overweight and obesity among women who had low, middle, and high weight gains during pregnancy. NOTE: Adapted from Linne et al, 2004 Low weight gainers gained an average of 9.8 ± 1.9 kg; middle weight gainers gained 14.0 ±0.9 kg; and, high weight gainers gained 18.8 ± 2.3 kg during pregnancy.

Figure 2

Variables related to excessive gestational weight gain

Figure 3

Pregnancy as a “teachable moment” for weight control. Reprinted and adapted with permission from McBride et al.