Factors associated with early gestational weight gain among women with pre-pregnancy overweight or obesity

Abstract

The present study aimed to document the prevalence of and identify factors associated with excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) in early pregnancy among women with pre-pregnancy overweight or obesity. Women with pre-pregnancy overweight or obesity (n = 247) were recruited between 12 and 20 weeks of gestation and completed questionnaires and were weighed to estimate early GWG. Nearly one-third of women met (17%, n = 42) or exceeded (13%, n = 33) guidelines for total GWG in early pregnancy. Univariate analyses showed race, income, and pre-pregnancy weight status to be significantly related to GWG category in early pregnancy (p < .009). Only race and pre-pregnancy weight status remained significant in a multivariate model, with Black women and women with pre-pregnancy obesity having higher odds of having met or exceeded guidelines for total GWG in early pregnancy compared with White women and women with pre-pregnancy overweight (p < .04). These findings highlight the need for early intervention to reduce weight-related complications among pregnant women.

Impact statement

• What is already known on this subject? Women with pre-pregnancy overweight or obesity who gain excessive gestational weight early in pregnancy are at unique risk for pregnancy complications and adverse birth outcomes.

• What do the results of this study add? The present study adds to a growing body of literature documenting that a notable amount of women are gaining excessive gestational weight early in pregnancy. The present study further documents that Black women and women with pre-pregnancy obesity are at particular risk of gaining excessive gestational weight early in pregnancy.

• What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Additional work examining modifiable risk factors, particularly among Black women and women with pre-pregnancy obesity, that contribute to excessive gestational weight gain (GWG) in the first half of pregnancy is warranted and will be necessary to inform interventions aimed at promoting weight loss during the preconception and interconception periods or encouraging appropriate GWG across the entire course of pregnancy.

Keywords:

• Gestational weight gain
• pregnancy
• overweight
• obesity

Disclosure statement

The research presented in this paper is that of the authors and does not reflect the official policy of the NIH. The NIH played no role in the study design, data collection, or analysis and interpretation of results presented herein. MDM is on the Scientific Advisory Board of Weight Watchers, Inc. No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development under R01 HD068802.