Managing excessive weight gain during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Lorraine O Walker

Journal: Journal of obstetric, gynecologic, and neonatal nursing : JOGNN 2007;36(5):490-500

PMID: 17880322

Full Text on Elsevier Science View on PubMed

Abstract

Childbearing is a period in the life cycle during which some women may gain weight, become overweight, or become obese. Despite guidelines issued in 1990 for gestational weight gain, many women exceed them. Women who are overweight before pregnancy are most vulnerable to excessive gestational weight gain. Prenatal interventions to prevent excessive gain have had mixed results. During the postpartum period, 14% to 20% of women may retain weight from pregnancy, which elevates risk of later health problems. Although postpartum weight loss interventions have been shown to have efficacy, these have been tested primarily with White women. Continued efforts are needed in practice and research to develop effective approaches for managing weight during pregnancy and postpartum, especially for low-income and ethnic minority women.

Address: The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing, Austin, TX 78701-1499, USA. [email protected]

DOI: 10.1111/j.1552-6909.2007.00179.x

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MeSH Terms: Body Mass Index, Evidence-Based Medicine, Female, Health Services Needs and Demand, Humans, Maternal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena, Maternal-Child Nursing, Nurse's Role, Nursing Research, Nutrition Policy, Nutritional Sciences, Obesity, Patient Education as Topic, Postnatal Care, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Complications, Pregnancy Outcome, Prenatal Care, Puerperal Disorders, Research Design, Risk Factors, Weight Gain, Weight Loss