Oral Presentation ANZOS-OSSANZ-AOCO Joint Annual Scientific Meeting 2017

Prevalence and predictors of early gestational weight gain associated with obesity risk in a diverse antenatal population (#181)

Kyra A Sim 1 2 , Kate Cheney 2 3 , Sophia Berkemeier 4 , Adrienne Gordon 3 5 , Kirsten I Black 2 3
  1. Boden Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  2. Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  3. Discipline of Obstetrics, Gynaecology and Neonatology, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
  4. Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Campbelltown Hospital, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia
  5. Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia

Background:

Excess gestational weight gain (GWG), particularly in early pregnancy, may contribute to the intergenerational cycle of obesity. The aim was to investigate the prevalence and predictors of early excess GWG and the women’s understanding of the risks to themselves and their offspring.

Methods:

This secondary analysis (n=2,131) of a cross-sectional study (n=2,338) of pregnant women attending antenatal clinics at their second antenatal visit at four maternity hospitals across Sydney. An anonymous, self-completed questionnaire was used to investigate knowledge of expected GWG, understanding of risks associated with excess GWG, anthropometric measures and socio-demographic data.

Results:

One third (34%) of women in the study gained weight in excess of the recommendations. In a multivariate analysis, women who were overweight (OR: 1.69, 95% CI: 1.33-2.14) or obese (OR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.20-2.24) were more likely to have excess GWG compared to normal weight women. Overweight and obese women were also more likely to estimate a higher weight than what is recommended (p<0.005). Low socio-economic status independently predicted excess GWG (OR: 1.89, 95% CI: 1.49-2.41).

Half (51%) of the women were unsure about the effect of excess GWG on their baby; 11% didn’t believe that excess GWG would affect the weight of the baby and 14% didn’t believe that excess GWG would affect longer term outcomes for their baby. Women who gained weight above the recommendations were more likely to believe that excessive GWG in pregnancy wouldn’t have any adverse future effect on health outcomes of their baby (p<0.05) or the weight of the baby (p<0.005).

Conclusions:

Overweight and obese women and/or residing in lower socio-economic areas are at particular risk of excess early GWG. Given the significant adverse outcomes associated with excess early GWG, targeted preconception or early pregnancy counselling, and preventative research remains a public health priority.