Gestational weight gain and child adiposity at age 3 years.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine the associations of gestational weight gain with child adiposity.


METHODS
Using multivariable regression, we studied associations of total gestational weight gain and weight gain according to 1990 Institute of Medicine guidelines with child outcomes among 1044 mother-child pairs in Project Viva.


RESULTS
Greater weight gain was associated with higher child body mass index z-score (0.13 units per 5 kg [95% CI, 0.08, 0.19]), sum of subscapular and triceps skinfold thicknesses (0.26 mm [95% CI, 0.02, 0.51]), and systolic blood pressure (0.60 mm Hg [95% CI, 0.06, 1.13]). Compared with inadequate weight gain (0.17 units [95% CI, 0.01, 0.33]), women with adequate or excessive weight gain had children with higher body mass index z-scores (0.47 [95% CI, 0.37, 0.57] and 0.52 [95% CI, 0.44, 0.61], respectively) and risk of overweight (odds ratios, 3.77 [95% CI: 1.38, 10.27] and 4.35 [95% CI: 1.69, 11.24]).


CONCLUSIONS
New recommendations for gestational weight gain may be required in this era of epidemic obesity.
Oken
Emily
E
Obesity Prevention Program, Department of Ambulatory Care and Prevention, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, Boston, MA 02215, USA. emily_oken@hphc.org
Taveras
Elsie M
EM
Kleinman
Ken P
KP
Rich-Edwards
Janet W
JW
Gillman
Matthew W
MW
D050154:Adiposity / Q000502:physiology*; D000886:Anthropometry; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008429:Maternal Welfare; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D015430:Weight Gain