title: Gestational weight gain in overweight and obese women enrolled in a healthy lifestyle and eating habits program.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether changes in lifestyle in women with BMI > 25 could decrease gestational weight gain and unfavorable pregnancy outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Women with BMI > 25 were randomized at 1st trimester to no intervention or a Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) Program including diet (overweight: 1700 kcal/day, obese: 1800 kcal/day) and mild physical activity (30 min/day, 3 times/week). At baseline and at the 36th week women filled-in a Food Frequency Questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  gestational weight gain, gestational diabetes mellitus, gestational hypertension, preterm delivery. Data stratified by BMI categories.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Socio-demographic features were similar between groups (TLC: 33 cases,
  
  
  METHODS
  28 cases). At term, gestational weight gain in obese women randomized to TLC group was lower (6.7 ± 4.3 kg) versus controls (10.1 ± 5.6 kg, p = 0.047). Gestational diabetes mellitus, gestational hypertension and preterm delivery were also significantly lower. TLC was an independent factor in preventing gestational weight gain, gestational diabetes mellitus, gestational hypertension. Significant changes in eating habits occurred in the TLC group, which increased the number of snacks, the intake of fruits-vegetables and decreased the consumption of sugar.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A caloric restriction associated to changes in eating behavior and constant physical activity, is able to reduce gestational weight gain and related pregnancy complications in obese women.
authors.affiliation: Mother-Infant Department, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia , Modena , Italy and.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Petrella
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Malavolti
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bertarini
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pignatti
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Neri
authors.forename: N C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Battistini
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Facchinetti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D031204:Caloric Restriction; D015444:Exercise; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D009765:Obesity / Q000628:therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000628:therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Diet; gestational diabetes; obesity; physical activity; unfavorable outcomes