Overweight and Obesity

Obesity increases the risk of some pregnancy complications, including hypertension, gestational diabetes, and obstetrical complications during delivery. It seems that these complications are not decreased by weight loss or slowed weight gain. In fact, the best pregnancy outcomes are associated with maternal weight gain that is within the 11-20 pounds weight gain recommendation for women with a prepregnancy BMI >30. Weight gain in obese women is associated with:

• Lack of weight gain: increases risk for delivery of SGA infants
• Weight gain >20 pounds: increases risk for delivery of LGA infants (Gavard and Artal, 2014)

Nutrition counseling is needed to ensure appropriate weight gain goals and nutrient intakes.

Criteria for overweight and obesity: (IOM, 2009)

• Overweight –prepregnancy BMI of 25 to 29.9
• Obese - prepregnancy BMI >30