Study reveals when it’s ‘too much’

Pregnancy

Pregnancy means that a woman is suffering weight gain naturally, which is also necessary for correct child development and mother. However, when this weight gain exceeds healthy limits, a woman is at risk of becoming ill health problems in the short and long term.

This is what has been proven recent study published in the prestigious scientific journal The Lancet, conducted by a team of researchers from the University of Singapore, the University of Pennsylvania and the US National Institutes of Health. But when is “too much”? Let’s find out more about weight gain during pregnancy, what this study found and what is the correct limit or required number of kilos that it is recommended to gain.

Adequate weight gain during pregnancy, according to study

The study was based on data from the Collaborative Perinatal Project (CPP).A prospective study of more than 46,000 American women who became pregnant between 1959 and 1965. The purpose of the study was analyze the relationship between weight gain during pregnancy and female mortality more than half a century later.

Of the women in the study, 17,901 died during the follow-up period.which is approximately 39% of the total. The study found that among women who were underweight before pregnancy, weight gain above the recommended level was associated with increased mortality from cardiovascular causes.

When women who were of normal weight before pregnancy who made up about two-thirds of the sample, excessive weight gain was associated with increase belonging mortality for all reasons including cardiovascular disease, but not diabetes. On the contrary, for women who were overweight before pregnancyexcessive weight gain was associated with increased mortality from all causes, including diabetes.but not cardiovascular disease.

For women who were obese before pregnancy, the study found no significant association between weight gain and mortality. However, weight gain below the recommended level was associated only with decreased diabetes mortality. in women who were of normal weight before pregnancy.

How much weight should you gain during pregnancy?

Weight gain during pregnancy is a physiological process that depends on several factors: such as the growth of the fetus and uterus, the formation of the placenta, amniotic fluid and membranes, fluid retention in tissues and the deposition of a certain amount of fat. Additionally, it will also depend on the woman’s pre-pregnancy constitution and her weight. For all these reasons, there is no hard and fast rule for how many pounds a woman should gain during pregnancy, but there are There is an optimal range, which depends on your initial weight and body mass index (BMI) at the time of conception.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has determined the following: weight gain recommendations during pregnancy for each pre-pregnancy BMI category:

• Low weight women (BMI <18.5 kg/m2): 12.5 to 18 kg.
• Normal weight women (BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m2): 11.5 to 16 kg.
• Overweight women (BMI 25.0–29.9 kg/m2): 7 to 11.5 kg.
• Obese women (BMI>30.0 kg/m2): from 5 to 9 kg.

Consequences of excess weight during pregnancy

As a result of the study, and taking into account what has already been analyzed over the years, weight gain during pregnancy has consequences for both mother and baby. Excessive weight gain can cause complications in the ninth month of pregnancy, such as: Gestational diabetes, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and a higher risk of cesarean section..

Additionally, it may make it difficult to lose weight after childbirth and increase the risk of developing chronic diseases in the future. By confirming the importance of achieving adequate weight gain during pregnancy and following recommendations, this study contributed to filling a research gap in maternal health and women’s long-term well-being, a topic of concern. Significant public health implications and implications for future generations.

“Improving women’s health and achieving healthy longevity must begin early in their lives,” said Professor Zhang, principal investigator and final author of the study.. “In particular, the health of women of reproductive age and during pregnancy are critical periods that impact long-term health, as well as intergenerational and family impacts.”