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. 2016 Nov;115(5):233-7.

Prevalence and Predictors of Unhealthy Weight Gain in Pregnancy

Sara Lindberg, Cynthia Anderson, Parvathy Pillai, Aman Tandias, Brian Arndt, Lawrence Hanrahan

Prevalence and Predictors of Unhealthy Weight Gain in Pregnancy

Sara Lindberg et al. WMJ. 2016 Nov.

Abstract

Importance: Weight gain during pregnancy affects obesity risk in offspring.

Objective: To assess weight gain among UW Health prenatal patients and to identify predictors of unhealthy gestational weight gain.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of women delivering at UW Health during 2007-2012. Data are from the UW eHealth Public Health Information Exchange (PHINEX) project. The proportion of women with excess and insufficient (ie, unhealthy) gestational weight gain was computed based on 2009 Institute of Medicine guidelines. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify risk factors associated with excess and insufficient gestational weight gain.

Results: Gestational weight gain of 7,385 women was analyzed. Fewer than 30% of prenatal patients gained weight in accordance with Institute of Medicine guidelines. Over 50% of women gained excess weight and 20% gained insufficient weight during pregnancy. Pre-pregnancy weight and smoking status predicted excess weight gain. Maternal age, race/ethnicity, smoking status, and having Medicaid insurance predicted insufficient weight gain.

Conclusions and relevance: Unhealthy weight gain during pregnancy is the norm for Wisconsin women. Clinical and community interventions that promote healthy weight gain during pregnancy will not only improve the health of mothers, but also will reduce the risk of obesity in the next generation.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Sample Selection
Figure 2
Figure 2
Prevalence of Insufficient, Ideal, and Excess Gestational Weight Gain by Pre-pregnancy Body Mass Index
Figure 3
Figure 3
Adjusted Odds of Unhealthy Gestational Weight Gain (ie, Above or Below Guidelines), Based on Multivariable Regression Analyses Boldface text denotes P < .05.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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