Pregnant overweight or obese women who think they are "eating for two" are in fact gaining more weight, a study shows. Researchers said that excessive weight gain during pregnancy leads to various health issues and premature delivery.
Health experts say that women with normal weight add up 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy, overweight women should gain 15 to 25 pounds, while obese women should gain only 11 to 20 pounds. Overweight are those with a body mass index between 25 and 29 and obese have BMI greater than 29.
For the study, the researchers asked 29 post-partum women, who were overweight or obese before pregnancy, about their diet habits, experience with morning sickness, and physical activity habits during pregnancy.
The researchers found that women who followed a diet plan gained weight adequately. They also found little or no increase in the amount of calories these pregnant women consumed during pregnancy and exercised as much or more than they had before the pregnancy.
Those who said they were "eating for two" gained more excessive weight. They did not stick to any particular diet plans, made less healthy food choices and ate more as a result of cravings. These women exercised less than the recommended 150 minutes every week during their pregnancy.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends only 300 extra calories per day for normal-weight pregnant women, and less for those who are overweight or obese, researchers stated in a press release.
The researchers advised doctors to have discussions about weight gain during pregnancy with their patients. "Women who closely monitor their weight gain during pregnancy can prevent future complications," Cynthia Chuang, study lead researcher from Penn State College of Medicine said.
The study was published in the journal 'Obesity Research and Clinical Practice.'
