Socioeconomic and clinical factors associated with excessive gestational weight gain

• Published in: Archives of gynecology and obstetrics Vol. 309; no. 4; pp. 1295 - 1303
• Main Authors: Kouba, Insaf, Del Pozzo, Jaclyn, Lesser, Martin L., Shahani, Disha, Gulersen, Moti, Bracero, Luis A., Blitz, Matthew J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.04.2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Body Mass Index; Diabetes, Gestational; Endocrinology; Female; Gestational Weight Gain; Gynecology; Human Genetics; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Maternal-Fetal Medicine; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Obesity - complications; Obesity - epidemiology; Obstetrics/Perinatology/Midwifery; Overweight; Overweight - complications; Overweight - epidemiology; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Retrospective Studies; Socioeconomic Factors; Weight Gain; Pregnancy; Obesity; Body mass index; Gestational weight gain; Maternal weight gain
• ISSN: 1432-0711; 0932-0067; 1432-0711
• DOI: 10.1007/s00404-023-07000-0

Purpose Excessive gestational weight gain (EGWG) is associated with adverse maternal and offspring outcomes but efforts to identify women at high risk for EGWG have been limited. The objective of this study is to identify socioeconomic and clinical factors associated with EGWG. Methods This retrospective cohort included pregnant patients who delivered live, term, singleton newborns between January 2018 and February 2020 at seven hospitals within a large health system in New York. Patients were stratified by pre-pregnancy body mass index and then classified based on whether they exceeded the Institute of Medicine guidelines for gestational weight gain (GWG) and whether they gained more than 50 pounds in pregnancy. Results A total of 44,872 subjects were included for analysis: 48% had EGWG and 17% had GWG exceeding 50 pounds. Patients with EGWG were more likely to be Black race, English speakers, overweight or obese pre-pregnancy, and have a mood disorder diagnosis. Patients who were underweight, multiparous, and those with gestational diabetes were less likely to have EGWG. Conclusion Sociodemographic and clinical findings associated with GWG > 50 pounds were similar but only overweight and not obese patients were at increased risk. Patients at risk for EGWG may benefit from early nutrition counseling and education on lifestyle changes.