Patterns of pregnancy weight gain and predictors of first trimester and total weight gain were investigated in a sample of 1367 women from Cebu, Philippines, with pregnancy intervals of < 2 y. The mean total weight gain based on actual measurements of prepregnant weight was 8.4 kg. Controlling for gestational week when weight was measured, multivariate-regression models predicted higher first trimester weight gain with higher parity, lower prepregnant body mass index (BMI), and longer nonpregnant intervals. Higher total weight gain was associated with longer nonpregnant intervals, lower prepregnant BMI, taller maternal stature, and relatively high dietary energy intakes. Lactation into the third trimester of pregnancy and maternal age over 35 y had significant negative effects on total weight gain. Given the importance of maternal weight gain in predicting birth outcome, this study provides information on modifiable risk factors that should be considered when developing maternal-infant health policy and programs.
PIP: A study of 1983-87 longitudinal data examined patterns of pregnancy weight gain and predictors of pregnancy weight gain among 1367 pregnant women from Cebu, the Philippines. Mean total weight gain was 8.4 kg. The women began gaining weight more slowly than did women in developed countries then caught up until 22-24 weeks gestation at which time their weight gain rate was considerably lower. Underweight women always gained more weight than normal and overweight women (e.g., during the 1st trimester, .07 kg/week vs. -.8 kg/week; p .05). During the 3rd trimester, women with an overlap of pregnancy and lactation gained much more weight than women with no overlap (.31 kg/week vs. .22 kg/week; p .05). The multivariate regression confirmed that women with a low prepregnant body mass index (BMI) gained more weight than did women with a normal or high BMI (p .01). Higher total weight gain during the 1st trimester was also linked to longer nonpregnant intervals (p .01). This was also true for total weight gain (p .01). A woman with a 6-month pregnancy interval gained 1.27 kg less during the entire pregnancy than a women with an 18-month pregnancy interval. Taller women gained more weight than did shorter women (p .01). Women who had high caloric intake gained more weight than did women who had low caloric intake (p .05). Women older than 35 gained less weight than younger women (p .01). Women who breast fed into the 3rd trimester of pregnancy gained 1.84 kg less than a woman who breast fed only into the 1st trimester (p .01). Women with any overlap of pregnancy and lactation gained more weight during the 3rd trimester than did women with no overlap, suggesting a rebound effect. Thus, public health programs should promote birth spacing and sound nutritional status and encourage breast-feeding pregnant mothers to consume more energy and nutrients to meet the demands of pregnancy and breast feeding.