Factors influencing weight gain in pregnancy – Obstetrics MCQ
Weight gain in pregnancy depends on all except?
A. Smoking
B. Pre pregnancy weight
C. Ethnicity
D. Maternal age
Correct answer : A. Smoking
Factors influencing weight gain in pregnancy
- Maternal age – Increased weight gain in younger women
- Physical activity – Several studies have demonstrated an inverse relation between weight gain and level of physical activity
- Prepregnancy weight – Weight gain in pregnancy is generally inversely proportional to BMI (Body Mass Index) in the pre pregnancy period
- Race / ethnicity – The mean weight gain differs in various ethnic / racial groups
- Parity – Lower weight gain was noted in multipara
- Hormonal milieu – Levels of hormones like insulin and leptin can influence weight gain in pregnancy
- Multiple pregnancy – Tend to gain more weight in multiple pregnancy
- Hyperemesis gravidarum – Lower weight gain in women with hyperemesis gravidarum
- Anorexia nervosa – Lower weight gain and lower birth weight in anorexic women
- Substance abuse – Studies have found no significant difference in mean weight gain between smoking and non smoking women. But the birth weight was lower in babies born to women who were smokers.
- Family violence – Greater risk of inadequate weight gain
- Marital status – Many studies have found that married women were more likely to gain weight than single / divorced women
Ref: Weight Gain During Pregnancy: Reexamining the Guidelines, Institute of Medicine (US) and National Research Council (US) Committee to Reexamine IOM Pregnancy Weight Guidelines; Rasmussen KM, Yaktine AL, Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2009.
