Excessive weight gain during pregnancy is more common now than it was in 1990 when the Institute of Medicine first offered recommendations for pregnancy-related weight gain. (1) New guidelines from the Institute of Medicine steer clinicians and women to more moderate weight gain goals during pregnancy for women who are obese. (2)
| 1990 IOM Report | 2009 IOM Report | ||||
| Weight
Category |
Prepregnancy
BMI (kg/m2) |
Overall
Weight Gain (lbs) |
Prepregnancy
BMI (kg/m2) |
Overall
Weight Gain (lbs) |
2nd and 3rd
Trimester Rate of Weight Gain (lbs/week) |
| Underweight | <19.8 | 28-40 | <18.5 | 28-40 | 1 |
| Normal
Weight |
19.8-26.0 | 28-40 | 18.5-
24.9 |
25-35 | 1 |
| Overweight | 26.0-29.0 | 15-25 | 25.0-
29.9 |
15-25 | 0.6 |
| Obese | >29.0 | At least 15 | >30 | 11-20 | 0.5 |
Back to the article, “Prenatal and Early Life Influences on Adult Weight and Obesity”
References
1. Institute of Medicine. Nutrition during pregnancy: part I: weight gain, part II: nutrient supplements. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press, 1990.
2. Institute of Medicine. Weight gain during pregnancy: reexamining the guidelines. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press, 2009.