Guidelines and interventions for obesity during pregnancy

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a growing worldwide epidemic among women of reproductive age, including pregnant women. The increased prevalence of obesity has been accompanied by an increase in gestational weight gain. Maternal obesity has deleterious consequences for both mother and child. OBJECTIVE: To review the recent guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence and the Institute of Medicine regarding gestational weight gain and interventions to treat obesity during pregnancy. METHODS: Guidelines on gestational weight gain from these organizations, as well as reports of gestational weight gain in the published literature, are summarized. RESULTS: Many normal and overweight parturients exceed the recommendations in the guidelines, which may contribute to postpartum obesity. CONCLUSION: Lifestyle changes, including dieting and increased activity, may help to limit excessive gestational weight gain but the optimal strategy remains unclear.