Guidelines for Pregnancy-Related Weight Gain

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)

Table: Guidelines for Pregnancy-Related Weight Gain, 1990 and 2009

	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

Source: (1, 2)

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.