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Guidelines and interventions for obesity during pregnancy
Author(s) -
Buschur Elizabeth,
Kim Catherine
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/j.ijgo.2012.04.025
Subject(s) - medicine , weight gain , obesity , pregnancy , overweight , dieting , excellence , psychological intervention , obstetrics , gestation , weight loss , body weight , endocrinology , psychiatry , genetics , political science , law , biology
Background Obesity is a growing worldwide epidemic among women of reproductive age, including pregnant women. The increased prevalence of obesity has been accompanied by an increase in gestational weight gain. Maternal obesity has deleterious consequences for both mother and child. Objective To review the recent guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence and the Institute of Medicine regarding gestational weight gain and interventions to treat obesity during pregnancy. Methods Guidelines on gestational weight gain from these organizations, as well as reports of gestational weight gain in the published literature, are summarized. Results Many normal and overweight parturients exceed the recommendations in the guidelines, which may contribute to postpartum obesity. Conclusion Lifestyle changes, including dieting and increased activity, may help to limit excessive gestational weight gain but the optimal strategy remains unclear.