Abstract

RAMON-ARBUES, Enrique; MARTINEZ ABADIA, Blanca  and  MARTIN GOMEZ, Susana. Gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention in a cohort of women in Aragon, Spain. Nutr. Hosp. [online]. 2017, vol.34, n.5, pp.1138-1145. ISSN 1699-5198.  https://dx.doi.org/10.20960/nh.749.

Objectives: To describe gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention in women classified by pre-pregnancy body mass index BMI). Methods: Prospective cohort study with a sample of 301 women. Weight was evaluated throughout pregnancy and puerperium. Multilinear regression models were performed to assess determinants of gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention by pre-gestational BMI categories. Results: During pregnancy, 36.5% of the participants gained more weight than recommended, and 90% retained weight at six months after childbirth. Slim women had greater weight gain during pregnancy and retained more postpartum weight. Age, parity, miscarriage history, pre-gestational BMI, origin and place of residence were independently associated with gestational weight gain. Postpartum weight retention was directly related to gestational weight gain and inversely with breastfeeding duration. Conclusions: Pre-gestational BMI is a predictor of gestational weight gain. Also, gestational weight gain is a predictor of postpartum weight retention. Educational programs focused on promoting healthy behaviors are needed both in pregnancy and postpartum.

Keywords : Body weight changes; Pregnancy; Postpartum period; Longitudinal studies.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )