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. 2009 Nov;114(5):1069-1075.
doi: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e3181baeacf.

Excessive gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention among obese women

Kimberly K Vesco  1 , Patricia M Dietz, Joanne Rizzo, Victor J Stevens, Nancy A Perrin, Donald J Bachman, William M Callaghan, F Carol Bruce, Mark C Hornbrook
Affiliations

Excessive gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention among obese women

Kimberly K Vesco et al. Obstet Gynecol. 2009 Nov.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the incremental effect of weight gain above that recommended for term pregnancy (15 pounds) on postpartum weight retention at 1 year among obese women.

Methods: In a retrospective cohort study, we identified 1,656 singleton gestations resulting in live births among obese women (body mass index at or above 30 kg/m) between January 2000 and December 2005 in Kaiser Permanente Northwest. Pregnancy weight change (last available predelivery weight minus weight at pregnancy onset) was categorized as less than 0, 0-15, greater than 15 to 25, greater than 25 to 35, and greater than 35 pounds. Postpartum weight change (weight at 1 year postpartum minus weight at pregnancy onset) was defined as less than 0, 0-10, and greater than 10 pounds.

Results: Total gestational weight gain was -33.2 (weight loss) to +98.0 pounds (weight gain). Nearly three fourths gained greater than 15 pounds, and they were younger and weighed less at baseline than women who gained 15 pounds or less. Pregnancy-related weight change showed a significant relationship with postpartum weight change. For each pound gained during pregnancy, there was a 0.4-pound increase above baseline weight at 1 year postpartum. In adjusted logistic regression models, the risk of a postpartum weight greater than 10 pounds over baseline was twofold higher for women gaining greater than 15 to 25 pounds compared with women gaining 0-15 pounds (odds ratio [OR] 2.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.54-3.10), fourfold higher for women gaining greater than 25 to 35 pounds (OR 3.91, 95% CI 2.75-5.56), and almost eightfold higher for women gaining greater than 35 pounds (OR 7.66, 95% CI 5.36-10.97).

Conclusion: Incremental increases in gestational weight gain beyond the current recommendation for obese women substantially increase the risk of weight retention at 1 year postpartum.

Level of evidence: II.

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