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Learning Objective 1: understand the magnitude of gestational weight gain and the prevalence of excessive gestational weight gain in different body weight groups.
Learning Objective 2: examine the factors associated with gestational weight gain.
Methods: This study used a cross-sectional design and 170 postpartum women were recruited in three obstetric clinics in southern Taiwan. Height, pre-pregnancy weight and gestational weight gain were self-reported and postpartum weight was measured. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation, Fisher’s exact test, and chi-square test.
Results: The average pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain were 21.78 (standard deviation [S.D.] = 4.68) and 13.99 kg (S.D. = 3.33), respectively. About 8.0% of underweight group, 34.1% of normal weight group, 55.6% of overweight group, and 66.7% of obese group gained excessive weight than the recommendations of Institute of Medicine. Pre-pregnancy BMI was associated with excessive gestational weight gain (Fisher’s x2 = 13.58, p = .002). Higher total gestational weight gain was associated with lower body satisfaction (r = -.20, p = .007) and higher postpartum weight retention (r = .91, p< .000).
Conclusions: Conclusions: These findings indicated a large proportion of women had an excessive gestational weight gain than recommended. Moreover, women who were overweight or obese before pregnancy were in a higher risk of excessive gestational weight gain and their weight change should be assessed carefully during prenatal and postpartum care.