Gestational weight gain and child adiposity at age 3 years

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the associations of gestational weight gain with child adiposity. STUDY DESIGN: Using multivariable regression, we studied associations of total gestational weight gain and weight gain according to 1990 Institute of Medicine guidelines with child outcomes among 1044 mother-child pairs in Project Viva. RESULTS: Greater weight gain was associated with higher child body mass index z-score (0.13 units per 5 kg [95% Cl, 0.08, 0.19]), sum of subscapular and triceps skinfold thicknesses (0.26 mm [ 95% Cl, 0.02, 0.51]), and systolic blood pressure (0.60 mm Hg [ 95% Cl, 0.06, 1.13]). Compared with inadequate weight gain (0.17 units [ 95% Cl, 0.01, 0.33]), women with adequate or excessive weight gain had children with higher body mass index z-scores (0.47 [ 95% Cl, 0.37, 0.57] and 0.52 [ 95% Cl, 0.44, 0.61], respectively) and risk of overweight ( odds ratios, 3.77 [ 95% Cl: 1.38, 10.27] and 4.35 [ 95% Cl: 1.69, 11.24]). CONCLUSION: New recommendations for gestational weight gain may be required in this era of epidemic obesity.