Abstract
To explore the association between health care provider advice about weight gain and gestational weight gain. Using data from
a prospective cohort study, we explored the association between provider advice about weight gain in pregnancy with weight
gain adequacy among 1,454 pregnant women. Provider advice was measured by maternal self-report at 27–30 weeks’ gestation.
Linear and Poisson regression were used to explore associations. Seventy-eight percent of the women gained outside current
recommendations. Fifty-one percent reported receiving weight gain advice from a health care provider. Adjusted Generalized
Linear Model (GLM) estimates showed weak effect of provider advice on inadequate or excessive gain (Relative Risk (RR) 0.96,
95% CI 0.74, 1.26 for inadequate gain and RR 1.01, 95% CI 0.97, 1.06 for excessive gain). There is a need for more women to
hear about their targeted weight gains during pregnancy and the present advice that exists does little to influence actual
gains. Further studies are warranted to find better strategies for providers to motivate their patients to gain weight within
the appropriate ranges.
a prospective cohort study, we explored the association between provider advice about weight gain in pregnancy with weight
gain adequacy among 1,454 pregnant women. Provider advice was measured by maternal self-report at 27–30 weeks’ gestation.
Linear and Poisson regression were used to explore associations. Seventy-eight percent of the women gained outside current
recommendations. Fifty-one percent reported receiving weight gain advice from a health care provider. Adjusted Generalized
Linear Model (GLM) estimates showed weak effect of provider advice on inadequate or excessive gain (Relative Risk (RR) 0.96,
95% CI 0.74, 1.26 for inadequate gain and RR 1.01, 95% CI 0.97, 1.06 for excessive gain). There is a need for more women to
hear about their targeted weight gains during pregnancy and the present advice that exists does little to influence actual
gains. Further studies are warranted to find better strategies for providers to motivate their patients to gain weight within
the appropriate ranges.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s10995-012-0969-z
- Authors
- Renée M. Ferrari, Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 725 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Campus Box 7590, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7590, USA
- Anna Maria Siega-Riz, Departments of Nutrition and Epidemiology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2105-A McGavran Greenberg, Campus Box 7435, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7435, USA
- Journal Maternal and Child Health Journal
- Online ISSN 1573-6628
- Print ISSN 1092-7875