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Comparative Study
. 2014 Jun;24(6):441-7.
doi: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2014.02.009. Epub 2014 Mar 3.

Racial differences in gestational weight gain and pregnancy-related hypertension

Jihong Liu  1 , Alexa E Gallagher  2 , Courtney M Carta  2 , Myriam E Torres  2 , Robert Moran  2 , Sara Wilcox  3
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Racial differences in gestational weight gain and pregnancy-related hypertension

Jihong Liu et al. Ann Epidemiol. 2014 Jun.

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of the study was to examine racial differences in gestational weight gain (GWG) and pregnancy-related hypertension.

Methods: Logistic regression models tested racial differences in adequacy of GWG and pregnancy-induced hypertension in all singleton live births from the South Carolina 2004-2006 birth certificates.

Results: Compared with white women, black and Hispanic women had 16%-46% lower odds of gaining weight above the recommendations. However, the odds of inadequate GWG was ∼50% higher in black and Hispanic women with a pregnancy body mass index (BMI) less than 25 kg/m(2). Furthermore, compared with women with adequate GWG, women with excessive GWG had higher odds of pregnancy-related hypertension (underweight: 2.35, 95% confidence interval [CI; 1.66, 3.32]; normal: 2.05, 95% CI [1.84, 2.27]; overweight: 1.93, 95% CI [1.64, 2.27]; obese: 1.46, 95% CI [1.30, 1.63]). Among women with a BMI less than 25 kg/m(2), black women had higher odds of pregnancy-related hypertension than white women (underweight: 1.64, 95% CI [1.14, 2.36]; normal weight: 1.28, 95% CI [1.15, 1.42]), whereas among women with a BMI less than 25 kg/m(2), Hispanic women had 40% lower odds.

Conclusions: Programs are needed to curb excessive GWG in all racial groups and to help some sub-groups ensure adequate GWG. Maternal obesity and GWG are two factors that should be used in combination to reduce racial differences in pregnancy-related hypertension.

Keywords: Epidemiology; Health disparity; Obesity; pregnancy.

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Figures

Figure 1a
Figure 1a
Gestational weight gain by race/ethnicity in South Carolina, 2004-6
Figure 1b
Figure 1b
Gestational weight gain by pre-pregnancy body mass index in South Carolina, 2004-6
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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