Pregnant Women Gaining Excess Weight Face Higher Risk of Heart Disease and Diabetes Later in Life
A recent study published in The Lancet journal reveals that pregnant women who gain more weight than recommended are at a greater risk of developing heart disease or diabetes later in life. The researchers analyzed data from over 45,000 women in the United States over a span of 50 years, including their body mass index (BMI) and weight fluctuations during pregnancy.
The study found that the increased mortality risk was present for all weight groups studied, including those who were underweight, normal weight, or overweight prior to their pregnancies. However, no heightened risk was found in women who were obese prior to pregnancy. The researchers, led by experts from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, highlighted the importance of adhering to the guidelines for weight gain during pregnancy.
The findings indicate that gaining weight within the recommended limits during pregnancy may protect against potential negative impacts in the future. Stefanie Hinkle, the lead author of the study and an assistant professor of Epidemiology and Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Pennsylvania, emphasized the short-term benefits of following the guidelines for both maternal health and the health of the baby.
The guidelines regarding weight gain during pregnancy, outlined by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US, recommend a weight gain of not more than 12.5-18 kg for underweight women and 5-10 kg for obese women, based on BMI standards. It is worth noting that the CDC recommendations differ for women pregnant with twins.
Interestingly, the study found that nearly half of pregnant women exceed the recommended weight gain. To conduct their research, the scientists examined data from the Collaborative Perinatal Project, which compiled information from a racially diverse cohort of individuals who gave birth in the 1950s or 1960s. By linking their records to mortality data spanning 50 years, the researchers were able to analyze the long-term effects of weight gain during pregnancy.
The analysis revealed that by 2016, approximately 39 percent of the participants had died, and the death rate varied in relation to pre-pregnancy BMI. Those with the lowest BMI had a lower death rate compared to those with the highest BMI. Moreover, the study found that women who were underweight before pregnancy faced an 84 percent higher risk of death related to heart disease if they gained more than the recommended weight.
Among women with a normal BMI, weight gain exceeding the recommendations resulted in a nine percent increase in death due to any cause and a 20 percent increase in the risk of heart disease-related death. Overweight women who gained excess weight during pregnancy had a 12 percent higher risk of death and a 12 percent increase in the risk of diabetes-related death.
The researchers did not observe any correlation between high weight gain during pregnancy and subsequent deaths among women who were already obese before pregnancy. While not directly studied, the researchers suggest that this group’s already-elevated death rate could have influenced this finding.
The study also acknowledged that weight gain during pregnancy is influenced by factors such as health care access, nutrition, and stress. The researchers emphasized the need for a comprehensive understanding of the long-term risks associated with unhealthy weight gains during pregnancy. They hope that further research will shed light on effective interventions to address this issue and promote healthier outcomes for women and their babies.
In conclusion, it is clear that gaining excess weight during pregnancy poses significant risks to women’s long-term health, regardless of their pre-pregnancy weight. Adhering to the guidelines for weight gain during pregnancy can help mitigate these risks and ensure the wellbeing of both the mother and the baby. Further research is needed to develop strategies and interventions that support pregnant women in making healthy choices and achieving optimal outcomes.
