Pregnancy Weight Gain and Obesity Risk

By Jeany Miller

Weight gain is a natural part of any pregnancy. Not only is an expectant mother eating for two, but she must also deal with intense cravings, hormone fluctuations, and her bodys demand for nutrition. While numerous jokes surround a womans hefty appetite during this period, new and alarming evidence suggests a serious finding. Doctors now believe that excessive weight gain during pregnancy may be linked to increased risk of obesity in children.

Weight Gain: Healthy vs Unhealthy

The Institute of Medicine issues guidelines for expected weight gain during pregnancy. A woman considered to be of healthy weight pre-pregnancy should gain between 25 and 35 pounds. Conversely, an overweight woman should gain between 15 and 25 pounds. Finally, an obese woman is advised to gain between only 11 and 20 pounds. It is this third category that represents 27 percent of all women in the United States who are of childbearing age. Despite the recommendations, nearly one-third of American women gain more than their advised weight during pregnancy. Moreover, almost half of all overweight and obese women exceed their recommended weight gain numbers. According to researchers, many women gain more than 53 pounds during pregnancy. New studies reveal that women who acquire more than 53 pounds during pregnancy are twice as likely to give birth to infants of more than 8.8 pounds. This is in stark contrast to women who gain between 18 and 22 pounds. Their likelihood of giving birth to a baby with high birth weight is minimal.

Birth Weight Linked to Later Obesity

Birth weight is more than a recorded piece of data. This number may also be linked to long-term obesity, according to researchers. Studies have found that high birth weight is indicative of a greater body mass index throughout a childs life. Early studies have helped to determine this is the result of pregnancy rather than genetics. Researchers with the Childrens Hospital in Boston and Columbia University in New York regarded multiple single pregnancies. They assessed the impact of maternal weight gain on a childs birth weight throughout the states of Michigan and New Jersey. The findings from those studies are as follows:

For every 2.2 pounds gained by the mother, the babys birth weight was increased by 0.25 ounces.
Mothers who gained more than 52.5 pounds during pregnancy gave birth to babies about 5.3 ounces heavier than mothers who gained between 17.5 and 22 pounds.

Scientists believe that key hormones become altered with excessive weight gain during pregnancy. In addition, pancreas cells and fat tissues of a developing fetus may also be irrevocably changed. Such factors contribute to the onset of obesity and related diseases in adulthood. According to the Centers for Disease Control, childhood obesity rates have more than tripled since 1980. Obesity is a proven risk factor for several chronic conditions, such as arthritis, cancer and heart disease. As the link between fetal origins of disease and diagnoses later in life continues to strengthen, doctors suggest women should participate in weight management techniques. These could prevent later weight gain in children and also deter from serious illnesses.

Steps to Maintaining Healthy Pregnancy Weight

Cautious weight gain is not only beneficial for infants, but for expectant mothers as well. Gestational diabetes, pre eclampsia and increased need for c-section are also related to excessive weight. The following tips are recommended to help expectant mothers manage their weight:

Select lean sources of protein, including skinless chicken breasts.
Eat plenty of whole grains and complex carbohydrates.
Indulge in fruits and vegetables when possible.
Snack when necessary to satisfy cravings but deter from making such selections a diet mainstay.
Participate in low-impact exercises as advised by a doctor.

Sources: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/197182.php http://www.webmd.com/baby/news/20100804/too-much-pregnancy-weight-gain-raises-childs-obesity-risk http://www.aolnews.com/surge-desk/article/study-ties-maternal-weight-gain-to-child-obesity/19578974 http://pregnancy.families.com/blog/tips-to-control-weight-gain-during-pregnancy