Weight gain in pregnancy: Do pregnant women receive correct weight gain recommendation in prenatal care? (odemis / izmir)

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of the study is to assign the progress of pregnant women getting a suggestion about weight gain with the year 2009 Institute of Medicine (IOM) guidelines for gestational weight gain advice. Material and Methods: The study was conducted as a descriptive one that matches participant criteria on the pregnant women at their gestational week of 26-36 who are registered to Family Health Center in Odemis county of Izmir Province between the date of 01 January 2013 and 30 June 2013. Questionnaire form was used for data collection. Whereas chi-square test and variance analysis was handled in statistical analysis, some descriptive statistical methods such as frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation were utilized in data assessment. Results: The average age of the 405 pregnant women at the age range of 18-44 participating in the research (as year) is 27.26±4.51, the average of pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) is 25.99±4.74. The 56.5% of these women are primary school graduates, 84.7% of them are unemployed, 45.2% of them are low-income and 45.2 % of them are primiparous. The pre-pregnancy BMI of the one-half women was determined as overweight (30.9%) and obese (18.3%). The 48.4% of the pregnant women got gestational weight gain suggestion from prenatal health care providers. According to current 2009 publication of the gestational weight gain guidelines, women was taken adequate weight gain provider advice by only 19.3%, insufficient weight gain by 17.8%, excess weight gain by 11.4%. 84.2% of the women got nutrition recommendation and 58.8% of them got physical activity recommendation in prenatal care. The correct gestational weight gain progress of the high income women and the women whose gestational week number is high was ascertained as high, and there was appointed a significant relation between them (p<0.05). Women's pre-pregnancy BMI (p<0.001), and income (p<0.05). were significant difference found between associated weight gain provider advice. Excess gestational weight gain suggestion was offered to the over-weight and obese women in the group of the pre-pregnancy BMI and a significant difference was found between them (p<0.001). Conclusion: Almost one-half of the women spoke with providers on gestational weight gain but one out of five women got actual weight gain suggestion within the limits of current 2009 IOM guideline recommendations. In order to prevent excess gestational weight gain and maternal obesity, pregnant women should be offered actual weight gain suggestion and wieght control counseling by prenatal health care providers. Pre-pregnancy overweight and obese women were adviced excessive weight gain. It should be done correct gestational weight gain advice and weight management to prevent maternal obesity in pregnant women.