Risk factors for excessive gestational weight gain in a UK population: A biopsychosocial model approach

Garay, S.M., Sumption, L.A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2259-9128, Pearson, R.M. and John, R.M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3827-7617 2021. Risk factors for excessive gestational weight gain in a UK population: A biopsychosocial model approach. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 21 , 43. 10.1186/s12884-020-03519-1

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Abstract

Background Gestational weight gain (GWG) can have implications for the health of both mother and child. However, the contributing factors remain unclear. Despite the advantages of using a biopsychosocial approach, this approach has not been applied to study GWG in the UK. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors of excessive GWG in a UK population, employing a biopsychosocial model. Methods This study utilised data from the longitudinal Grown in Wales (GiW) cohort, which recruited women in late pregnancy in South Wales. Specifically, data was collected from midwife recorded notes and an extensive questionnaire completed prior to an elective caesarean section (ELCS) delivery. GWG was categorised according to Institute of Medicine (IOM) guidelines. The analysis was undertaken for 275 participants. Results In this population 56.0% of women had excessive GWG. Increased prenatal depression symptoms (Exp(B)=1.10, p=.019) and an overweight (Exp(B)=4.16, p<.001) or obese (Exp(B)=4.20, p=.010) pre-pregnancy BMI, consuming alcohol in pregnancy (Exp(B)=.37, p=.005) and an income of less than £18,000 (Exp(B)=.24, p=.043) and £25–43,000 (Exp(B)=.25, p=.002) were associated with excessive GWG. Conclusion GWG is complex and influenced by a range of biopsychosocial factors, with the high prevalence of excessive weight gain in this population a cause for concern. Women in the UK may benefit from a revised approach toward GWG within the National Health Service (NHS), such as tracking weight gain throughout pregnancy. Additionally, this research provides evidence for potential targets for future interventions, and potentially at-risk populations to target, to improve GWG outcomes.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Biosciences
Additional Information:	This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
Publisher:	BMC
ISSN:	1471-2393
Funders:	MRC
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	4 January 2021
Date of Acceptance:	21 December 2020
Last Modified:	02 May 2023 16:56
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/137240

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